Cover Story: MHSAA’s Winter Sports Wonderland

To discover the hidden winter wonder of the MHSAA cold-weather tournament sea- son, a look beyond the basketball court reveals an expanse of opportunity for stu- dent-athletes who excel in an array of sports somewhat unique to Michigan. 4 Attendance and participation figures illustrate the popularity of the season.

The Vault – 18 MHSAA Staff One Crazy Weekend Tony Bihn, Director of Information Systems Many a March weekend create Jordan Cobb, Assistant Director, Information Systems a hectic schedule for MHSAA Andy Frushour, Director of Brand Management Staff, but none busier than Nate Hampton, Assistant Director March 6-8, 2008. Dan Hutcheson, Assistant Director Cody Inglis, Assistant Director John R. Johnson, Communications Director Rob Kaminski, Website & Publications Coordinator MHSAA News – 32 Geoff Kimmerly, Media & Content Coordinator Survey Says . . . Camala Kinder, Administrative Assistant The 2016 Update Meeting Cole Malatinsky, Administrative Assistant Opinion Poll focused on pref- Peggy Montpas , Accounting Manager erences for junior high/middle Andrea Osters , Assistant Director schools, and requirements for Thomas M. Rashid, Associate Director John E. Roberts, Executive Director coaches and officials. Laura Roberts, Receptionist/Officials Registrar Adam Ryder, Assistant Director, Information Systems Regulations Review – 36 Jeremy Sampson , Ticketing, Promotions & Marketing The Season for Co-Ops Coordinator For many MHSAA member Mark Uyl, Assistant Director Jamie VanDerMoere, Administrative Assistant schools, winter sports offer Faye Verellen, Administrative Assistant prime opportunities for Co-Op Tricia Wieferich, Administrative Assistant programs. Know the Regula- Kathy Vruggink Westdorp, Assistant Director tion prior to forming a team. Paige Winne, Administrative Assistant Karen Yonkers, Executive Assistant Departments benchmarks is published three times per year by Wide Angle ...... 2 the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Shots on Goal ...... 3 Inc., 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing, MI From the Director ...... 16 48823 (Phone 517-332-5046). Edited by Rob Student Spotlight ...... 20 Kaminski. benchmarks welcomes contributions of Health & Safety ...... 22 Getting I.T...... 24 articles, information or photos which focus on Outside Shots ...... 26 coaching and officiating in Michigan. Send them to Officially Speaking ...... 28 [email protected]. Reviewing the Regulations ...... 36 MHSAA Business ...... 38 © 2017 Michigan High School Athletic Association Extra Points ...... 44 Overtime ...... 44 benchmarks 1 A Kaleidoscope

chool sports is much more a kaleidoscope than a microscope. Our programs offer a diverse array of activities for students of all Ssizes, shapes, colors and customs. When the focus is on one sport, one team or one athlete, the work is easy; but the mission of educational athletics is missed. When the focus is on multiple levels of multiple sports, the work is much harder. It means complicated scheduling of facilities for practices and events. It means sharing precious resources fairly. It involves bickering, bargaining, brainstorming and budgeting. It requires an open mind. For example, we raised some eyebrows in Michigan with sponsorship of boys and girls bowling tournaments; now a few state associa- tions have bass fishing tournaments. We hang onto a postseason tournament for alpine skiing but wonder if snowboarding should be added or should replace alpine skiing. We conduct tra- ditional state tournaments for golf and tennis but wonder if a Ryder Cup format for golf or a team tennis tournament – in both cases coed – would be cooler and rejuvenate these sports in schools. It’s impossible to do everything for everybody; but as this issue of benchmarks demon- strates, school sports in Michigan is closer to achieving its full potential today than at any time since its founding.

John E. “Jack” Roberts MHSAA Executive Director

The MHSAA’s Winter Sports Seasons illustrate the kaleidoscope of school sports.

2 benchmarks our readers’ “writes”

Eight is Enough . . . And Then Some

Following is the “From the Di- day and Saturday before Thanks- praised; but we knew even then rector” blog of Nov 22 pondering giving, when the four-week for- that the day would come when the popularity of 8-Player Foot- mat concludes; and there is not the new benefits for some would ball and what the future holds. room for a fifth game on either create new hardships for others. Friday or Saturday after Thanks- The discussions needed now will Two things happened during giving when the eight champi- require coaches and administra- the 2016 football season that onship games of the 11-player tors to examine the effects of were not unexpected but which tournament are conducted. change on others as well as on now require discussion leading to These discussions regarding themselves, and to be fair with action: the 8-player tournament field their responses and recommen- 1. The 2016 football season and format will invite other dis- dations. was the first during which cussions. For example, Class C the number of Michigan schools that sponsor 8-player COMMENTS: High School Athletic As- teams which are ineligible for the “I agree. As an average size sociation Class D high 8-player tournament that is lim- Class D high school I would fa- schools sponsoring 8- ited to Class D schools only, will vored the two 16-team divisions. player teams exceeded ask for a tournament opportu- This would make an even play- the number of Class D nity; but their inclusion in the 8- ing field for the small Class D schools sponsoring 11- player tournament will be high schools and the larger ones. player teams: 48 playing 8-player football; 40 play- resisted by Class D schools. I would prefer schools that are ing the 11-player game. There are people who will ad- Class C would not be allowed to 2. The 2016 8-Player Foot- vocate that the 11-player tourna- play in the postseason. I am ball Playoffs was the first ment should be reduced from afraid if we allow the Class C in to exclude a six-win team eight divisions to seven; and that where does it stop. Bigger . . . in fact, two of them . . Division 8 be for the 8-player schools would want to get in . from the 16-team field tournament, with 32 teams and a too.” and four-week format. five-week format concluding at — Terry Evanish, AD The original plan for the 8- Ford Field on the Friday after International Academy of Flint player tournament called for ex- Thanksgiving. Of course, this re- pansion to a 32-team field and a duces by 32 the total number of “I support the original plan for five-week format when the num- teams that will qualify for the the 8-player tournament: to be ber of MHSAA Class D member MHSAA Football Playoff experi- expanded to a 32-team field and schools sponsoring a full season ence. a five-week format. I am hopeful of the 8-player game exceeded We must keep in mind that such a playoff format will be en- 40 for several years. Having now every enhancement of the 8- acted for 2017. Some alternate reached the point of expansion, player experience invites more indoor facility should be sought many questions are being raised. conversions from the 11-player in place of Ford Field for the 8- For example: to 8-player game, and every Player Final. Since 8-player par- Are Class D schools served conversion makes life a little ticipation is more northernly, well by a 32-team field and a more difficult for remaining 11- where low enrollments are com- five-week format, like the player teams, especially for mon, possibly the Superior 11-player tournament? smaller schools. For example: Dome at NMU in Marquette Or, would two 16-team divi- • Remaining Class D 11- should be looked at for hosting sions and continuing the player schools have fewer the Final.” four-week format be best? like-sized opponents to – Loren Vannest, Superintendent The two 16-team divisions schedule during the regu- Hale Area Schools would have the benefits of lar season, and they must smaller enrollment differences travel further to play Shots on Goal offers readers a between the largest and smallest them. forum for feedback. Submit schools of each division, as well • Some remaining 11- your opinions, share your ex- as a one-week shorter season – player schools in Classes periences or offer suggestions D, C and B find them- both of which might be preferred to [email protected]. selves playing in playoff from the standpoint of partici- Be sure to visit MHSAA.com pant health and safety. divisions with larger for MHSAA Executive Director Under neither format is it schools than was the case Jack Roberts’ twice-weekly likely that the championship a few years ago. blogs. Comments are encour- game(s) would be held at Ford The reintroduction of 8- aged, and may also appear Field. The facility has a long- player football in Michigan high Shots on Goal standing commitment for the Fri- schools in 2011 was generally here in . benchmarks 3 Winter Gamesof the

Temperatures may plunge, but the MHSAA tournament season heats up to offer a carnival of events for MHSAA member schools each winter.

uick, which season showcases the greatest number of MHSAA Tourna- ments? As the layout of this issue decidedly gives away the answer, it is Qthe winter season, with 12 championship events taking place; 14 when considering Wrestling’s team and individual tournaments, and when splitting Upper Peninsula swimming and diving into each gender. While much focus is placed on scholastic hoops during these months – and with more that 37,000 participants and the highest percentage of schools sponsoring bas- ketball teams, that sport does command proper attention – the MHSAA offers unique participation opportunities in several other sports, bolstering its national figures which annually rank among the top. “Our winter sports offerings are second to none when considering the opportuni- ties afforded to our diverse communities throughout Michigan,” said MHSAA Execu- tive Director Jack Roberts. “From the rolling, rural land in our Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula where winter weather is embraced – even depended upon from an economical standpoint – alpine skiing and ice hockey might be the sports of choice. We have a rich history in wrestling, and our Weight Monitoring Program has served as a model to others in keeping the sport safe, while we’ve proven that two tournaments running concurrently, as our team and individual formats do, can heighten excitement and opportunity. “We were among the first states to sponsor girls competitive cheer (1994) as a tournament sport in the early ‘90s, separate from sideline cheer, and attendance at those Finals escalates each year,” Roberts said. “About 10 years later (2006), we took a chance on another sport, and now we rank among the nation’s most popu- lar states for boys and girls high school bowling.” Following is a look at several of these sports and the factors that make the MHSAA – if not unique – at least among the coolest during the winter months.

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Ranking the MHSAA Winter Sports

Following are the MHSAA Winter Sports participation national rankings according to the 2015-16 National Federation of State High School Associations survey. Note: Some sports might take place in different seasons in other states. For those sports ranking among top seven, the states ahead of Michigan are listed.

Sport Schools Participants Rank Sport Schools Participants Rank

Boys Basketball 728 21,509 6th Boys Ice Hockey 227 3,346 4th (behind Texas, California, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania) (behind Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey)

Girls Basketball 653 15,573 7th Boys Skiing 85 719 3rd (behind Texas, California, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio) (behind Massachusetts and Minnesota) S w Boys Bowling 369 3,853 3rd Girls Skiing 92 652 3rd i a (behind New York and Ohio) (behind Massachusetts and Minnesota)

Girls Bowling 350 3,054 3rd Boys Swimming & Diving 238 4,732 9th (behind Ohio and Illinois) Wrestling 463 9,396 7th Girls Competitive Cheer 336 7,062 6th (behind California, Illinois, New York, Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania ) (behind North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, California and Illinois) NOTE: The MHSAA Girls UP Swimming & Diving Finals are in Girls Gymnastics 67 638 11th the Winter, LP is in the Fall.

CHILLIN’ NEAR THE TOP The state’s girls participation remained seventh For the eighth straight year, Michigan ranked nationally for the fifth consecutive year, while the seventh nationally in high school sports participa- boys participation figure continued to rank sixth. tion, according to statistics for the 2015-16 school According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau figures year released by the National Federation of State from 2015, Michigan ranks ninth in both females High School Associations. That level of participa- and males ages 14 through 17. tion exceeds Michigan’s national ranking for total Of the state’s 13 sports that bested the state’s number of high-school aged residents, which re- overall national participation ranking of seventh by mained ninth. Michigan also again ranked ninth or placing sixth or higher on their respective lists, higher in participation in 26 of 28 sports in which seven take place in the winter. Another two placed the MHSAA conducts a postseason tournament. seventh on the national ladder. Michigan’s participation ranking was based on Among the winter wonders, Michigan girls bowl- a number of 295,436, with 126,160 girls ing, and girls and boys skiing improved from fourth and 169,276 boys taking part, and in- to third in national participation rankings from the cluded NFHS sports in which the previous year, while wrestling improved to seventh MHSAA does not conduct postseason and gymnastics one spot to 11th. tournaments. Girls competitive cheer slipped slightly The totals count from fifth to sixth, but still remained above students once for each population rank. sport in which he or The other Michigan winter sports she participates, so that ranked sixth or higher equaled their multiple-sport national rankings from 2014-15 and included athletes are boys basketball at sixth, boys bowling third, counted more and ice hockey fourth (third in number of than once. schools playing the sport). Girls basketball stayed the same from the year before at sev- enth while boys swimming & diving cracked the top 10 in ninth, and gymnas- tics just missed at No. 11. – continued next page benchmarks 5 GOING TO THE MAT FOR PARTICIPATION MHSAA File Photo With origins dating to 1948, wrestling is among the most established sports highlighting the MHSAA’s winter calendar. As the sport’s popularity continued to grow over the decades, those most closely involved with the sport began to notice the truly individual nature of the sport, resulting in schools being lauded as “team” champions based on the accomplishments of an exceptional few. So, in 1988, a great tournament got twice as good by doubling itself. That winter marked the first season of MHSAA-sponsored Team and Individual Wrestling Tournaments, putting increased empha- sis on deep rosters at all weight classes, while still recognizing the best student-athletes at each weight class at various sized school classifications. It also opened the doors for increased participation op- portunities. 2017 marks the 30th year the two formats have existed side by side. MHSAA wrestlers today know of no other system, but one of the Association’s newest employees, Dan Hutcheson, has seen the The Grand March at the Individual Wrestling Finals is annually transformation from its inception, literally from the one of the MHSAA’s great tournament spectacles. inside out. “I remember when the first MHSAA Wrestling provides for healthy and limited weight loss, and Team Finals took place (1988). I was a senior in also because coaches and athletes understand the high school,” said Hutcheson of his experience as a opportunities presented by two events,” he said. wrestler at Holt High School in the Team Quarterfi- It is a showcase which should not be taken for nals that year. granted. “I recall some hand-wringing and concern with “Two of my favorite athletic memories are coaches worried about having wrestlers make rooted in our two wrestling tournaments,” said Mark weight ‘again,’ and also the possibility for injury Uyl, MHSAA assistant director who coordinated with the added high level competitions. Now, those both tournaments for more than a decade. “No items are not even given a second thought because other event is like the Team Wrestling Finals for of the MHSAA’s Weight Monitoring Program which bringing a team and community together. It’s such

Team Effort Highlights Opportunity

How does the MHSAA Team Wrestling Tournament provide Michigan wrestlers with a unique opportunity? Let the numbers below illustrate.

• 32 Team Districts x 2 possible dual meets = 64 potential duals • 64 potential duals x 14 possible weight classes = 896 potential matches • 896 potential matches x 2 potential wrestlers = 1,792 potential wrestlers • 1,792 opportunities to wrestle x 4 Divisions = 7,168 potential students that could have the opportunity to personally step on the mat and compete in an MHSAA Team District!

“If you think about it, every wrestling team in the MHSAA has an opportunity to compete in a Team District. It is obvious that opportunities for big and small schools are abundant,” said MHSAA Assistant Director Dan Hutcheson. “We have heard our whole lives that wrestling is an ‘individual’ sport, which is true, but with our team concept, your individual re- sults – win or lose – may greatly affect the outcome for the team.” The 2017 Team Wrestling Tournament marks the 30th year of the event. Entering this year, 47 different schools have claimed titles and countless individuals have had the oppor- tunity to wrestle under championship lights previously reserved for the elite of the elite.

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a loud and intense atmosphere. It is our best team competing in the ring, to guiding his athletes just event of the year in terms of the arena atmosphere. outside of it, he has come full circle to this year, “The Individual Finals are so neat because it when he will administer both tournaments in his of- takes nearly 200 individuals over three days to pull ficial role as an assistant director at the MHSAA. off the event. The work of the tournament staff and His experiences at the Team Finals remain special. volunteers shows how many moving parts there “In my first year as a high school coach, our are, and so many event staff have been with the team was fortunate enough to qualify for the one-site Finals since day one.” MHSAA Team Finals in Battle Creek,” he said. It is a feeling echoed by many in the wrestling “When I look back on our Team Regional experi- community. ence, it truly was a team effort that got us to the Fi- “In my opinion, our Team Finals are the envy of nals. From our 189-pound wrestler Matt Culver many in the United States. It affords so many going up to 215 and out-conditioning his opponent wrestlers the opportunity to actually compete and for a huge win, to our heavyweight Josh Shuh (now be part of a postseason or Finals experience,” Dr. Shuh) looking at me during the final deciding Hutcheson added. match of the night, in overtime, telling me, ‘I got Longtime wrestling official Sam Davis, currently this…’ But one of the most important matches was coordinating an expansion of services and support Brian Scott at 145 pounds, who was a tough un- for officials with the MHSAA, has officated numer- derclassman. He repeatedly fought off his back and ous Team and Individual Finals and couldn’t agree managed to ‘lose close,’ saving us crucial team more. points that ultimately helped us narrowly edge our “Without question one of the best things that opponent by one point, sending us to Battle Creek.” was done for wrestling was to create an opportu- The split format has created equally important nity for teams to participate in the Finals,” Davis opportunities for more officials to enjoy the spot- said. “There are a number of wrestlers who will light and get a taste of a coveted Finals assignment. never make it to the Individual Finals who are very And, there are some innate differences to calling talented and have just the right attributes to help a the action in each setting. team to become successful. This would have gone “The two tournaments are uniquely different untapped on the big stage without the Team Finals. and the skills required to officiate one tournament Case in point, I saw a female wrestler in Battle do not always transfer to the other tournament,” Creek who was critical in helping her team to win said Davis, who will assist Hutcheson with opera- the Team Finals. She did not qualify for the indi- tions for both tournaments this year. “For instance, viduals, but the teams created that opportunity for the Individual Finals allow officials whose forte’ her to become an MHSAA champion.” might not be in carrying a series of dual meet Hutcheson, meanwhile, would return to Kellogg events the opportunity to work in a venue where Arena as head coach at Howell HS in 1998. From – continued next page

MHSAA File Photo

The Team Wrestling Finals took the spot- light in front of a packed Kellogg Arena for decades after coming to fruition in 1988.

benchmarks 7 they switch from school to school and focus weight rules, allowing teams to perform all aspects of class to weight class, match to match. All officials cheer techniques and styles designed to promote assigned to both events are qualified, and we have athleticism. Having met the criteria of a sport pro- more than enough who earn their assignments. vided by the Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. De- Some might feel that one tournament has a higher partment of Education, the MHSAA further worked quality of official than the other, but I certainly don’t to create a rules manual exclusive to Michigan and agree with that sentiment, nor have I seen any evi- the safety rules provided in the Manual were de- dence of that.” signed for high school teams with modifications in- It is a select group of officials indeed, for both cluded for middle school/junior high teams. events, just as the athletes are elite. The Individual “A girls competitive cheer meet shows the in- Finals take place a week after the Team Finals, with creasingly athletic skill-set of the young women 896 qualifiers statewide over four Divisions and 14 who compete,” said Westdorp. weight classes per Division taking center stage, be- It is a format and platform which continues to ginning with the Grand March, an annual spectacle fly high, thanks to school administrators and of the MHSAA Winter season. coaches who take ownership in the sport, the ath- “This event (held at the Palace of Auburn Hills letes, and hosting of competitions. since 2002) is the icing on the cake, as it is one of Now closing in on 25 years, the sport is stronger the best-run competitions in the country that fea- than ever, both for competitors and those who fol- tures our state’s finest,” Hutcheson said. “It’s a low the event. The number of schools and partici- show that is unparalleled.”

SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT “Those who haven’t been to a In the early 1990s when the MHSAA was look- girls competitive cheer meet ing to add another girls sport to its menu of winter championship events, “cheerleading” took on a should take the time to do so. whole new meaning with the formation of a Girls They will see incredible Competitive Cheer Tournament in 1994. athleticism and competition at “Girls competitive cheer is firmly in place as one of the most popular team sports in Michigan, offer- its finest.” — MHSAA Assistant ing great opportunities for female students,” said Director Kathy Vruggink MHSAA Assistant Director Kathy Vruggink West- Westdorp dorp, who coordinates the sport for the Association. “Michigan was ahead of most states when the MHSAA welcomed girls competitive cheer to its list pants has easily tripled since that first year, with of tournament sports. It was created with the spe- nearly 350 schools and more than 7,000 girls com- cific purpose of providing an additional winter sport peting this season. for girls, who had fewer athletic opportunities in the “It has provided a great opportunity for girls to winter than in the fall or spring seasons.” participate in a sport that is distinctive and excit- While sideline cheerleaders still accompany and ing to watch while including the spectators in a supports select sport teams during the school year, vocal response,” Westdorp said. “It has created a girls competitive cheer offers unique participation tournament for many girls who may not otherwise opportunities previously untapped for young have participated in a school sport. What we see in women who wished to challenge themselves many cases is that students come into their schools against other schools in an athletic environment. in 7th or 9th grade to find MHSAA Competitive And, make no mistake, the sport commands a rig- Cheer as a new, exciting option which had not pre- orous skill set. viously existed for them.” “Girls competitive cheer does not replace, nor As participation boomed, so, too, did the pool of is it intended to conflict with, sideline/game cheer- quality coaches, judges and talent level. And, cer- leading squads,” Westdorp said. “Girls competitive tainly, with the sport now built, people have come; cheer teams condition, practice and prepare solely in masses. for competition while the objective for sideline/ No other MHSAA Tournament sport can boast a game cheerleading squads is to lead cheers for current string of 13 straight years in which overall school sports fans.” tournament attendance records have been It might seem to go without saying, but before it eclipsed. Beginning with 10,369 spectators from could become a tournament sport, the MHSAA first Regionals-Finals in 2003, to 39,986 from Districts- had to have girls competitive cheer meet the defi- Finals last winter, spectatorship has nearly quadru- nition of a sport. To that end, a format was created pled, further proof that the sport has a solid base. by Michigan cheer coaches and athletic adminis- “I was just amazed when I looked at last year’s trators with the purpose of providing consistent tournament attendance, almost 9,000 more than

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Leading the Cheers No MHSAA sport can match Girls Competitive Cheer in terms of rising tournament attendance, as the sport leads all others with increases in 13 consecutive years for com- bined tournament attendance (first round through Finals).

Following are the numbers worth shouting about:

Tournament Year Total Attendance 2003 10,369 2004 12,498 2005 13,027 2006 13,188 2007 15,829 2008 18,635 2009* 20,752 2010 22,907 2011 23,019 2012 23,511 2013 25,290 2014 25,996 2015 31,284 2016 39,986 *First Year of District Competition

the previous year, and that one was signifi- cantly higher than the year before,” Westdorp said. “The participation and spectator growth has been spectacular throughout the years, making the tournament an event unlike many others.” MHSAA File Photo The growth has created expansion of the tournament format as well. With gyms and staffs competition to now to having four divisions over pushed to the limits, the MHSAA Competitive two days for the Finals, the popularity is evident.” Cheer Tournament added a District level in 2009, Such clamoring makes the Finals ticket at the offering yet another postseason weekend during DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids among the toughest which the girls can shine. MHSAA Winter Finals ticket, and necessitated the There’s little doubt that it’s the high school move to a two-day format in 2007 (as did the ad- scene which has created the buzz for the sport in dition of a fourth Final) to accommodate the spir- Michigan. It’s the chance to participate in a school ited following. setting for MHSAA District, Regional and Finals ex- “People have lined up at the doors to get to their periences that continues to draw student-athletes. preferred seats for each session,” Westdorp said. Just as local success in longer-established “The demand is unique and challenging, but the lay- sports has created a culture for youth sports to em- out of the DeltaPlex has offered the perfect venue ulate in countless communities across the state, for the event with it’s stage-like configuration. girls competitive cheer has also made its mark on “Those who haven’t been to a girls competitive various school districts around Michigan. cheer meet should take the time to do so. They will “The success of some of our perennial Finals see incredible athleticism and competition at its participants helps to generate interest in the sport finest.” not only within those communities, but in neigh- In Michigan, that number of people who haven’t boring schools as well,” Westdorp said. “From the been to a competition continues to dwindle with first years with three champions in a single day of each MHSAA Competitive Cheer Tournament. – continued next page benchmarks 9 MHSAA File Photo

NEWEST WINTER SPORT STRIKES IT BIG The MHSAA Boys and Girls Bowling Finals quickly outgrew the Funny how one topic can roll into the next, cre- single-site setting of the formative years, and now enjoys com- ating a snowball effect that eventually strikes it big. petition at four houses during Finals weekend to accommodate MHSAA Executive Director Jack Roberts and four Divisions of championships. then-Assistant Director Randy Allen were on the road during the fall of 2002 exploring potential sites number of contests, amateur status; rules which to replace Flint’s IMA Arena and become the new shape all school sports. home for the MHSAA Hockey Finals when Roberts “The coordination of the state proprietors asso- hit Allen with an unrelated question. ciation, and their willingness and ability to step up “Jack, sort of off-the-cuff, asked, ‘What do you to the plate, that was one of most important factors think about the MHSAA adding bowling as a tour- during the formative years. We also had some great nament sport?’” Allen recalled. “I told him that I local coaching leadership. Each traditional bowling grew up in the bowling environment. My parents area of the state had some key coaches who helped were involved in the sport, I bowled, and was al- pave the way. Most youth leaders were enthusiastic, ways around bowling alleys. I don’t think he real- but some saw us as a threat. The proprietors and ized it when he asked about bowling, but naturally those coaches made sure that people understood I was all for it.” we didn’t want to draw lines in the sand; we wanted Allen had just recently begun his term at the to embrace and welcome everyone into a great sit- MHSAA, arriving in 2001 to a post he would main- uation, and by and large it has become embraced.” tain until his retirement in 2013. The timing was not Proprietors affected by the economic slides of a only right in that Allen would serve as a natural for decade ago also saw school bowling as an oppor- the MHSAA’s director of the sport, but surveys were tunity to attract future generations and create a proving that the timing was right for schools as well. healthier future. Interest far exceeded the 64 schools required for “Bowling centers recognized that high school sponsorship of an MHSAA Tournament sport, and bowlers were the bowlers of the future including in December 2012, the Representative Council an- their leagues and tournaments counted on to fill nounced that boys and girls bowling would become their centers on Michigan winter weekends,” said the newest winter sport during the 2013-14 school MHSAA Assistant Director Cody Inglis, who has year. Statewide bowling leaders were able to pres- taken charge of the sport since Allen’s retirement. ent impressive credentials to the MHSAA. “They quickly realized that promoting high school With more than 100 separate boys and girls bowling by opening their doors to teams, coaches teams being sponsored by schools or school com- and athletes was the best way to make sure that munities at the time, Allen recalls a smooth transi- they had future bowlers in their centers.” tion into the scholastic setting, as the state high And, there are plenty of schools in need of fa- school bowling association had been conducting cilities. The MHSAA now boasts 371 boys teams championships for a few years prior to the an- and 364 girls teams this winter, both figures up nouncement from the MHSAA. from last year’s figures which led the nation in “I’d consider it more of a handoff to the MHSAA terms of school sponsorship, and were third in from local associations and club leaders rather than terms of participants. a start from scratch,” Allen said of that inaugural There are several factors in attracting new blood year. “We just had to emphasize bowling fitting into to bowling, including cost, scheduling and a wide some of our regulations, like length of season, range of athletic experience.

10 benchmarks cover story

“Bowling really has taken its place alongside all of our other great programs in terms of legitimacy, enthusiasm and participation.” — former MHSAA Assistant Director Randy Allen

“We have seen bowling take on all kinds of stu- want to perform well on the biggest stage.” dent-athletes from a school, from the non-team The format of the MHSAA Bowling Tournament sport participant who joins, to the student-athlete offers singles competition on Friday, followed by who is not regularly a winter sport athlete who gets team competition on Saturday during Finals week- involved at the urging of their friends to come out to end, which includes a combination of traditional have fun,” Inglis said. “It truly is a melting pot of scoring along with “Baker” games, in which team athletic participation and at its core reflects the best members alternate rolling specified frames to ac- in high school sports, representing your school in cumulate a team score. Such a format yields a competition, a lifelong sport whose benefits trans- tremendous team effort and enthusiasm for schools late to any walk of life.” and spectators. The relationship between bowling houses and “The excitement, energy and school spirit rivals participants continues to strengthen, generating a any gym, rink or stadium that I have been in for healthy forecast for scholastic bowling. On the ad- other high school sports,” Inglis said. “If people ministrative side, it is a sport which offers low-cost don’t think that bowlers care about representing participation with little of the scheduling conflicts their school, doing their best or being competitive, innate to other activities School facilities aren’t they simply need to set foot into an MHSAA Bowl- taxed, nor is the pool of officials; there are none. ing Finals venue to have their minds changed.” “We saw schools quickly adding the sport even It is the type of setting which Allen envisioned when athletic budgets were being cut around the from the onset. state, because of the relatively low cost per student- “The types of turnouts we had didn’t surprise athlete in bowling,” Inglis said. “Each student has me,” Allen said, “Regional sites were packed, and their own bowling ball, while uniforms, lane fees in early days at Sunnybrook Lanes (Sterling and transportation costs are comparatively low Heights) where all three levels were at same site, against other sports.” we had 2,000 or 3,000 in attendance. That illus- Timing and location play a role too, both of trated the popularity, and also showed the need to which play into Michigan’s well- split up the Finals sites.” placed mitten during the long Of course, Allen – with his winter months. strong bowling lineage – played “If you live in an area where an influential role in the success. winters can be extreme, you’ve “The seamless transition to a got to do something, and bowling school-based sport was done is one of those activities from the with the work of many like Randy time kids are young,” Allen said. Allen, who made MHSAA Bowl- “It’s something that they’ve ing what it is today,” Inglis said. grown up doing, in an atmos- From its single-site, three- phere that is fun and recre- classification origins, today’s Fi- ational.” nals are four Divisions at four That environment has carried sites. It was an unexpected ques- over into school-based bowling. tion on a routine trip that got the Students compete for Regional ball rolling, and now Allen’s name and Finals championships as oth- continues to be linked to the ers do in so many other sports, MHSAA Bowling Tournament. but there is a noticeably different Kegel, renowned bowling oil- atmosphere during the MHSAA pattern developer, tailored a pat- Bowling Finals. tern specifically for high school “The comradery among schools and bowlers is bowling called the “Allen Pattern,” (inset left) unique in bowling. It is not about wishing your op- named after Allen, and utilized for the 2016 MHSAA ponent misses a shot as much as it is celebrating a Bowling Tournament. great shot. Some of the most enjoyable times are “Bowling really has taken its place alongside all when a student-athlete is seeking perfection during of our other great programs in terms of legitimacy, a 300 game and watching and listening as the cen- enthusiasm and participation,” Allen said. “By any ter becomes hushed at every approach,” Inglis said. standards of measurement, high school bowling “There is a true feeling of wanting your opponent has become a real success story in Michigan.” to do their best while obviously you, yourself, also – continued next page benchmarks 11 Andrew Knapik. Southgate

There’s no denying that popularity of high school hockey is on the rise, as evidenced by this standing-room-only crowd in Plymouth at the 2013 MHSAA Division 1 Final between Brighton and Detroit Catholic Central.

CHANGING CULTURE NETS ASSIST ON ICE rule to their benefit to add schools to their already More than an hour before the puck dropped for existing program. We are seeing the number of the 2013 MHSAA Division 1 Ice Hockey Final be- schools involved in hockey increase because of this tween Brighton and Detroit Catholic Central, word as well as bigger cooperative programs.” was out that a standing-room-only crowd could be Stronger relationships with non-school entities expected as MHSAA and Compuware Arena (now are also strengthening the MHSAA product. USA Hockey Arena) staffs braced themselves for a The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association, the throng of more than 4,000. governing body for youth hockey in the state, is in What followed was a classic, closely fought 2-1 its third year of split seasons for Midget-level play, Brighton win, but what resonated long afterward which affects players aged 15-17 years old, prime was just how far high school hockey had come in high school ages. This allows those wishing to play Michigan. non-school hockey to do so while still playing for “Historically high school hockey has been a their school, as the MAHA seasons take place be- lower-cost alternative to travel hockey with the fore and after the MHSAA season. added benefits of playing for your school and play- Of even greater assistance, perhaps, is the mis- ing in front of your peers,” said MHSAA Assistant sion of USA Hockey’s American Development Director Cody Inglis. “Now we are seeing the over- Model. all strength and quality of high school hockey be- “The American Development Model has been come much deeper across the state because of widely accepted not just in the hockey world but in more kids playing for their high school instead of the athletic Olympic sport world as the develop- the non-school alternative.” ment model for all sports,” Inglis said. “In short, the A prime example is last year’s Division 1 cham- ADM promotes multi-sport participation which is pion, Romeo, which hails from Macomb Country, right in line with high school hockey and school- traditionally a non-school hockey market for par- based sports where hockey players can also play ents and kids. Romeo’s title is further proof that football or soccer in the fall, play hockey for in the students can represent their school, have success winter and then play baseball or run track in the and create lifelong memories while enjoying the spring. This acceptance and the accompanying sci- benefits of playing for local schools. entific evidence that supports the ADM program Last year, more than 220 schools across Michi- shows that high school sports, including hockey, gan’s peninsulas were involved in ice hockey pro- are the way to go for well-rounded athletes.” grams, and the 3,000-plus participants ranked Combine that philosophy with the fact that USA fourth nationally. Co-op teams increase opportu- Hockey purchased Plymouth’s Compuware Arena – nity on the ice, attracting skaters looking for alter- home to the MHSAA Semifinals and Finals since natives to non-school teams closer to home. 2003 – prior to the 2015-16 season, and MHSAA “Recently we have seen an uptick in high school Ice Hockey received another assist toward greater hockey participants even though our overall teams goals. The MHSAA went from not knowing where have gone down slightly,” Inglis said. “Hockey pro- its Semifinals and Finals would be played two years grams and schools use the cooperative program ago, to playing on the home ice of the governing

12 benchmarks cover story body of amateur hockey in the country without officials who understand the game and can provide moving locations. Puck luck, as the game’s purists constructive, real-time feedback for these officials would say. to take back with them to their local associations “It wasn’t just a renaming of the building, but in order to help expand expertise in the high school millions of dollars worth of an upgrade which made hockey officiating world.” an already nice arena among the best facilities in All of these components have combined to keep the state for viewing hockey,” said Inglis. “At this ice hockey among the most popular winter sports. point we have a willing partner in USA Hockey Attendance for the championship weekend hit an Arena that wants our Semifinals and Finals, and we all-time high in 2013-14, drawing 14,595 fans for expect that to continue. The partnership has been the three days. great for high school hockey and both sides want to see it grow to enhance the Finals experience for fans and teams coming to the arena.” A growing number of officials also are getting to experience the three-day championship week- end first-hand, thanks to the implementation of a two-referee system employed for the first time dur- ing the 2016 Semifinals and Finals. That means nine extra officials are rewarded for a fantastic sea- son to get a taste of the championships.

“This acceptance and the accompanying scientific evidence that supports the ADM program shows that high school sports, including hockey, are the way to go for well-rounded athletes.” — MHSAA Assistant Director Cody Inglis

“The move from a three-person system to a four-person system was been met with rave reviews MHSAA File Photo from officials, coaches and administrators alike,” said Inglis. “This new system allows the referees to The implementation of a four-official system for last year’s be referees and the linesmen to be linesmen, which MHSAA Semifinals and Finals was met with high marks. results in a better called and officiated game.” Getting to the Finals as an official takes as much skill and work as it does a team. From the SCOPE ON THE SLOPES Keweenaw Peninsula to Detroit and everywhere in Michigan’s winter snow does its best to drive between, the MHSAA challenges officials, associa- people indoors and has played more than a cursory tions, coaches and athletic directors to submit the role in generating new options for students and names of top officials in their areas. The MHSAA spectators in the state’s most inclement season on then monitors and evaluates those deserving of the the calendar. highest level and extends invitations to the Semifi- But, one of the MHSAA’s oldest winter sports – nals and Finals. and quite possibly one of its future sports – depends Once in Plymouth at USA Hockey Arena, the upon as much white stuff as the skies will yield. evaluation spotlight only intensifies. Since 1975, Michigan’s high school students “We wanted to enhance their experience while have been able to race against peers, the clock and at the Finals, so we developed an observation the elements in MHSAA Alpine Skiing postseason process and form for our Semifinal and Final offi- competition. One of just 13 states across the coun- cials,” said Inglis. “This allows us to give them in- try to offer downhill skiing, the sport truly adds to stant feedback from veteran high school hockey the MHSAA’s unique winterfest. – continued next page benchmarks 13 “It’s really a no-cut sport. If someone wants to participate, they’re on the team. And, most coaches are going to find (a way) for each skier to compete, so they all get a chance to ski in a tournament setting.” — former MHSAA Assistant Director Gina MHSAA File Photo Mazzolini Alpine skiing provides a unique opportunity for MHSAA student-athletes during the winter months. The future could be far from downhill if other snow activities are added.

Often times, the participants are equally as ing the winter, and ski teams simply do not cut any unique. participants. “The typical skier is a high-risk athlete. By that “It’s really a no-cut sport. If someone wants to I mean kids who like and are challenged by risk like participate, they’re on the team. And, most divers or pole vaulters,” said former MHSAA Assis- coaches are going to find one of the disciplines – tant Director Gina Mazzolini, who retired in July slalom or giant slalom, for each skier to compete after 24 years with the Association. in, so they all get a chance to ski in a tournament “To go 30-40 miles per hour down a hill around setting,” Mazzolini said. the gates takes a risk-taking, fun-loving kid. The Although just a small fraction of MHSAA are great athletes, so quick and agile. They are re- schools sponsor skiing, the future on the slopes ap- ally amazing to watch, and for the most part always pears bright. The equipment strapped to competi- seem to have smiles on their faces.” tors’ feet, however, could change. Ironically, though a degree of recklessness “We’ve talked about snowboarding for about a serves these downhill daredevils well on the slopes, decade, but there are questions that need to be an- the overall traits of scholastic skiers over the years swered. Do we make it another discipline with GS has done anything but reflect that nature. and Slalom, or make it another sport? Do kids just “There were rarely any ‘troublemakers’ in terms run a course for time, or do we get into half-pipes of conduct during our ski tournaments,” Mazzolini and jumps where judging is involved? It’s another said. “Throughout all of my years, I can remember level of officiating that would be involved. Coming having to deduct conduct points maybe three up with the parameters will be the key to future out- times.” door sports,” Mazzolini said. That demeanor might be developed due to the ownership the students have in the sport. Not only ALL-AROUND EFFORT do they fearlessly soar down those hills, but they Now in its 46th year as an MHSAA Tournament have a great appreciation for the course. After all, sport, girls gymnastics is matched only by girls the students and coaches have the responsibility of swimming and diving as the longest-running post- setting up the course as well. season opportunity for girls in Michigan. “The coaches and the kids have to set up the For a sport on many people’s radar only every hills for practice every day and then take it back four years during the Olympics, the MHSAA pro- down,” Mazzolini said. “You set up training lanes vides opportunity for student-athletes to continue a and take it down yourself, so they have a lot in- sport that many girls were introduced to at a young vested into it besides practice and meets.” age in various settings, both competitive and recre- While there is a certain cost factor involved in ational. the sport not inherent in other activities – some fa- “Gymnastics is a spectacular event, or should I cilities might charge $1,500 to reserve lanes for say ‘events,’” said MHSAA Assistant Director Kathy practice – season passes for school skiers ofter Vruggink Westdorp. “It’s really numerous sports in come at a discounted rate for the season. one, with vaulting, uneven bars, balance beam and There also are several benefits that come with floor exercise offering a variety of unique skills for skiing, including two big ones: the sport does not competitors.” cramp already crowded indoor school venues dur- As the international level familiar to casual

14 benchmarks cover story

Olympic onlookers is targeted to the elite and is for- positive experience. if you haven’t seen it, swing by ever trending younger, high school gymnastics af- for a look this winter. You won’t be disappointed in fords an option for older girls of various skill levels, the level of competition and comradery on display.” and the chance to perform for thier schools. “The MHSAA format is unique, in that our tour- – Rob Kaminski nament is split into two divisions,” Westdorp said. benchmarks Editor “Division 1 gymnasts likely have a background that includes a higher level of club experience for girls looking to continue the enjoyment of competition, MHSAA File Photo and the Division 2 gymnast is a bit more of a novice. This format showcases both in one setting and is an attractive option for our student-athletes.” Like many MHSAA sports, the tournament awards team and individual achievement and host- ing the event in high school facilities keeps the em- phasis and atmosphere in proper perspective. in 2016, attendance was up 2 percent over the previ- ous year and, with more than 600 participants, its popularity remains steady. “If you are looking for a sport where athleticism, sportsmanship and excitement all are on display, that would be girls gymnastics,” Westdorp said. “Equally committed to the sport’s success are the Gymnastics is among the oldest of the MHSAA Winter Tourna- coaches and judges, combining for an all-around ment sports, with a 45-year history of medal moments.

Getting Your Sites in Our Sights

o hear MHSAA Assistant Director Cody Inglis on his way out of the office on any given day might Tlead to quite a misconception. He really isn’t leading the life of leisure. “I joke with Laura (MHSAA receptionist and officials registrar) when I am leaving the building for a meeting that I am either going to a golf course, hockey rink, bowling center or ski hill; and usually I do on my way to meetings!” He’s not complaining either. It’s truly a labor of love, and a ne- cessity for Inglis and other MHSAA Staff seeking non-school set- tings for many MHSAA Tournament sports; particularly during the winter due to the nature of the sports. The built-in benefit for many sports at this time of year is that they do not over-crowd the limited indoor facilities at MHSAA member schools. However, that also means fitting into a third-party schedule. “The challenge with that at times is that you first must usually connect with the bowling center, the hockey arena and the ski hill to ensure that they can, and will, host an event for you,” Inglis said. Personnel matters become the next concern, particularly ensuring that the school-sports setting and message be maintained at non-school sites. Many MHSAA Tournament sports “Usually the host school coach must take on a big management role depend on off-campus sites, and in the process since they are usually more familiar with the outside venue staff members are always on the than the athletic director is,” Inglis said. lookout during their many travels. With ample coordination on both ends, it’s a marriage that works well for all parties. “Almost all managers and owners of these outside venues truly enjoy having high school events and contact me early and often about future years and hosting,” Inglis said. “This is a credit to the student- athletes and coaches who treat and use these facilities with care, and understand that these sites are businesses which have opened their doors to high schools. “I will often stop by facilities unannounced and introduce myself to the general manager or staff and take a look around. This usually helps me when it comes time to select sites and hosts for tour- naments, as I’m familiar with these venues.”

benchmarks 15 Better By Far

he profile of high school sports peaked in was not when high school sports maximized its Tthe 1950s. potential to engage and educate students. This was before there was a television in most Over the past 60 years, school sports have houses or in any bars and restaurants. This was become increasingly inclusive – not only addi- before professional sports franchises spread to tional sports for boys, but just as many sports most states across the US. This was when col- for girls. lege football was played only at 1 p.m. on Sat- Over the past two dozen years, the MHSAA urday and professional football was played only has added tournaments that have promoted at 1 p.m. on Sunday. growth in girls competitive cheer, and bowling This was before there were health clubs and for both boys and girls, and lacrosse for both fitness centers. Before shopping malls and boys and girls. MHSAA tournaments are now mega-movie complexes. When a typical town available in 14 sports for girls only and 14 sports had but one theater that showed only one film for boys. (and maybe a cartoon) that changed every two Sometimes people complain that football and weeks or so. This was before anybody could basketball crowds are not as large today as in

MHSAA File Photo

High school sports attendance is alive and well, just more dis- the “good ol’ days.” But that fails to take into ac- persed over the many options afforded MHSAA students today. count that spectators are spread over many more sports today. make money from youth sports – not coaches, Sometimes people observe that football and trainers, agents, colleges, clubs, convention and basketball squads are not as large today and stu- tourism bureaus, the AAU or national sports dents don’t attend games like they once did. But governing bodies. that ignores that students are playing other This was when there was little to do in most sports. communities but attend local high school events. In fact, overall attendance and overall partic- This was a great time to be a high school ath- ipation are many times greater in Michigan high lete . . . if you were a boy, and if you enjoyed school sports today than 60 years ago. football, basketball or perhaps track or baseball. Moreover, of the two types of engagement by If not, you cheered for the boys who played those students in school sports – playing or watching – sports. playing is better by far. So while the 1950s may have been the time This is the golden age of school-sponsored when high school sports peaked in profile, this sports – the much more inclusive and active age.

16 benchmarks Numbers Game

Editor’s Note: The following is the “From the Director” blog of Dec. 23, 2016, on MHSAA.com

ne of the features of school sports that is unmatched by non-school youth sports travel teams is that school events usually draw crowds of spectators. Not just family members, but class- Omates and citizens of the local community are drawn to attend school sports events. Among proof of the enduring importance and high profile of school-sponsored sports is that Michigan High School Athletic Association tournament attendance continues to climb despite all the distractions of modern society. Here are highlights reported by the MHSAA’s Geoff Kimmerly in October:

• Girls postseason events set a record for attendance for the third straight school year in 2015-16, and overall tournament attendance spiked to its highest total of the last five years. • Total attendance for 2015-16 was 1,484,095 fans, an increase of 6.8 percent over the previous year. Girls attendance was 473,241 fans, an increase of 10,141 (or 2.2 percent) over the record total from 2014-15. Boys attendance was 1,010,854 fans, a four-year high helped notably by an increased football crowd in 2015. • The third straight girls record showing got a boost from girls competitive cheer, which set an over- all attendance record for the 13th straight season with 39,906 fans and also set attendance records at the Final (19,993) and District (12,867) levels. The track & field and bowling tournaments, which include attendance for girls and boys events combined, also set overall records. Track & field broke a 2011-12 record with 37,773 fans overall and a Regional record of 22,413, and bowling set an overall attendance record for the fifth straight season with 13,919 fans and a Regional record of 9,948. • Football attendance rebounded significantly after a snowy opening weekend in 2014 resulted in the lowest playoff attendance since the 256-team 11-player field was introduced in 1999. Overall foot- ball attendance jumped to a three-year high of 389,897, a 25.4 percent increase from the 2014 postseason and with increases seen at the Predistrict, District and Regional levels. • Ten more tournament series showed increases in total attendance over the 2014-15 school year: girls gymnastics (2.0 percent), girls softball (2.8 percent), baseball (0.5 percent), girls swim- ming & diving (12.7 percent), boys swimming & diving (14.6 percent), boys basketball (1.5 per- cent), girls and boys cross country (combined, 2.1 percent), boys soccer (2.4 percent), team wrestling (1.6 percent) and individual wrestling (1.7 percent) all saw increases in overall atten- dance from the previous school year. Girls Volleyball fell just shy of equaling the previous year’s record, drawing 110,638 fans, a decrease of 293 from the 2014 season but still the second-most since records first were kept in 1990-91. Girls volleyball did, however, set attendance records at the Regional (26,445) and Semifinal (4,765) levels of the tournament. • The Boys Basketball Finals draw of 47,407 was a five-year high and a 16.9 percent increase from 2014-15. The Girls Basketball Finals drew 22,301 fans, the most for a Semifinals/Finals weekend since 2004-05 and an increase of 12 percent over 2014-15. Girls basketball’s overall tournament attendance of 169,523 was a decrease of 1.2 percent from 2014-15, but still the second-highest attendance for the sport since 2005-06. • Overall girls softball attendance increased for the third straight year to 44,515, the highest total since the record-setting spring of 1994-95. • Team Wrestling Regionals reached a seven-year high and individual wrestling’s rise was fueled by increases at all three levels of that tournament, including five-year highs at the Regional and Final levels. • Boys Soccer Finals drew 4,906 fans, the most for that event since 2007-08.

Not included in these figures are those who attend MHSAA tournaments in golf, skiing and tennis for which admission typically is not charged and likely pushed the total attendance over 1.5 million for the 2015-16 school year.

Join the Crowds! Visit the MHSAA Ticket page by scanning the code at right, or visiting MHSAA.com/tickets benchmarks 17 a trip through the MHSAA publications archive

One Crazy Weekend

This edition of the “Vault” recalls the most ac- “We will likely never see a repeat of that week- tion-packed Finals weekends the MHSAA has seen, end. Tournament policies have changed to avoid March 6-8, 2008. such over-scheduling, and ice hockey overtime rules no longer allow a game to go to the extreme ike tracking a weather system, MHSAA of that evening. It was great to live through, but staff could see it coming well in advance: once is enough,” said MHSAA Executive Director La perfect storm of Finals activity scheduled Jack Roberts. for the first weekend in March 2008. The action began at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March Annually the busiest Finals weekend each year, 6, with the MHSAA Class C Girls Basketball Semi- the fact that Easter was falling on March 23 of that year gave cause for the MHSAA to maneuver its tournament schedule clear of the holiday. Boys “We will likely never see a repeat basketball moved to March 13-15, and girls hoops of that weekend. Tournament then moved to the already jam-packed weekend of policies have changed to avoid March 6-8 providing a prep-a-polooza for high school sports fans around the state like no other. such over-scheduling, and ice Little could fans anticipate at that time, how- hockey overtime rules no longer ever, that it would also be the longest, with the last allow a game to go to the title being decided – or undecided – just before March 8 turned into March 9. extreme of that evening. It was On the docket during that stretch were the fol- great to live through, but once is lowing MHSAA Finals: enough.” — MHSAA Executive • Individual Wrestling at the Palace of Auburn Hills March 6-8 Director Jack Roberts • Ice Hockey Semifinals and Finals at Com- puware Arena in Plymouth March 6-8 • Girls Basketball Semifinals and Finals at finals on the campus of EMU, and was shortly fol- Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation lowed by the Individual Wrestling Finals Grand Center March 6-8 • Girls Competitive Cheer at the DeltaPlex in March at the Palace at 2:30 pm. That evening, the Grand Rapids March 7-8 puck dropped for the Ice Hockey Semifinals at • Girls Gymnastics at Canton High School in Compuware Arena in Plymouth, the same place all Plymouth March 7-8 MHSAA action would end late that Saturday night. • Boys LP Swimming & Diving Prelims and Fi- “That weekend was a giant blur, considering nals at Oakland University, Eastern Michi- everything that goes into basketball and individual gan University and Holland Aquatics Center wrestling alone in terms of advance preparation,” March 7-8 said MHSAA Communications Director John John-

MHSAA File Photo

After eight overtimes and 109 minutes of championship hockey, the 2008 MHSAA Division 1 Final was declared a 1-1 tie between Mar- quette and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Fittingly, the longest game in Finals history closed out the busiest MHSAA Winter Finals week- end on the books.

18 benchmarks MHSAA File Photo

The MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals Grand March at the Palace of Auburn Hills on March 6, 2008, helped signal the start of the busiest three-day Finals span the MHSAA has known. son. “Plus, we were embarking for the first time in tween Finals sessions to get fresh air and change live streaming video for the basketball Semifinals – views for an hour or so, I drove to Plymouth to and having to do it at a new venue.” watch some hockey,” said Rob Kaminski, MHSAA In between, there were plenty of highlights. web site and publications coordinator. “I told Andy In competitive cheer, Grandville snapped Frushour (on site for the MHSAA at Compuware Rochester’s three-year hold on the Class A/Division Arena that day) that I was a little envious because 1 reign, as the two schools remained the only two it was almost certain he’d be back home in Lansing ever to win the big-school competition. before me. It didn’t quite happen that way.” In the pools, Nicholas Evans of Rochester set a On the ice that night, the busiest championship Division 2 record in the 500-yard freestyle in weekend the MHSAA has known came to an end 4:31.78, while Division 1 action saw Ann Arbor with the longest game in the history of the Finals. Huron edge crosstown rival and perennial power Marquette and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s skated for Ann Arbor Pioneer for team honors. 109 minutes and eight overtimes before adminis- At Canton High School, meanwhile, Grand trators ruled the game a 1-1 tie and awarded co- Ledge was just beginning its run of six straight team championships in the name of safety for two titles under Coach Duane Haring. Leading the way exhausted teams who had earned victory. was Meaghan McWhorter, who won every event but Ironically, the contest was just 1:32 from ending the floor exercise en route to all-around medalist. when Tim Hooker of St. Mary's knotted the score On the mats of a different kind, Goodrich’s Mark at 1-1. His tally equaled a power-play goal by Mar- Weber nailed down his fourth MHSAA individual quette’s Mike Peterson in the second period. title, becoming the 13th in the history of the sport “Coming home at the end of the weekend, and to do so. Two grapplers notched their third crowns feeling like everything was wrapped up as I got during the weekend, Rockford’s Kyle Waldo and closer to Lansing, I’ll never forget my phone blow- Oak Park’s Marcel DuBose. ing up with calls from folks wondering about what The girls basketball season moved to the winter was happening with hockey,” Johnson said. “And months for the first time, and also had a new home then rushing into the house to punch up the audio (the first of two years) at the Convocation Center at of the game on the computer, I listened to a very EMU in Ypsilanti. The change in scenery offered hoarse John Kreger announcing that co-champions new-look champs in Class A and Class D, as had been declared.” Grosse Pointe North and New Lothrop brought the And, thus, just prior to midnight, one crazy, hardware back to their schools. memorable weekend came to a successful close. “I remember being at Eastern Michigan for the three days of basketball, and deciding to go out be-

benchmarks 19 Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award in 28th Year

MHSAA File Photo

housands of students voluntarily extend their classroom day by taking part in Textra-curricular activities, often improv- ing their academic achievements in the process. The value that such programs play in the total education of a high school student is highlighted through the Michigan High School Athletic Associ- ation/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award, which will award $1,000 scholarships to 32 top student-athletes and recognize over 1,400 Class D two boys and two girls. The first 30 schol- other outstanding individuals in 2016-17. arships will be awarded based on this graduated Underwritten by Farm Bureau Insurance, the scale, with two additional scholarships intended for Scholar-Athlete Award is now in its 28th year, and minority applicants. presents scholarships to students in every MHSAA This year, a total of 1,515 applications were enrollment classification. The scholarships may be submitted by student-athletes from 409 schools used at any institution of higher learning. across the state. “It is amazing to see the number of young peo- A committee composed of school administra- ple who are proven achievers in academics and ac- tors from across the state will select regional and tivities,” said Jack Roberts, executive director of statewide winners. the MHSAA. “At a time when our educational sys- Farm Bureau Insurance, a long-time supporter tem is coming under fire, the Scholar-Athlete of MHSAA activities, also sponsors other educa- Award is something that proves how important ath- tionally oriented programs. Executive Vice Presi- letics are to the development of a well-rounded per- dent Jim Robinson notes the company's pleasure son.” with the awards program. Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete “All of us at Farm Bureau Insurance are proud Award must be graduating during the 2016-17 to reward special, well-rounded young people who school year, carry a 3.5 grade-point average, and have developed both physical and academic have previously won a letter in a varsity sport that skills,” Robinson said. “To accomplish both while the MHSAA sponsors postseason competition. giving themselves to their schools and their com- Applicants will also be required to show in- munities are outstanding traits that must be recog- volvement in other school-community activities nized and rewarded.” and submit an essay on the importance of sports- The 32 scholarship recipients will be recognized manship in educational athletics. at the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Bres- Application materials can be found on the lin Student Events Center in East Lansing on March MHSAA Website, MHSAA.com. 25, 2017. Each MHSAA member school is allowed to nominate a number of student-athletes based on the size of the school. Class A schools can nomi- More Info? nate six boys and six girls, Class B four boys and Scan Here four girls, Class C three boys and three girls and

20 benchmarks Battle of the Fans VI Heats Up the Winter Scene

ive finalists have been selected for the Although there were no applications from Class MHSAA’s “Battle of the Fans VI,” which D schools this year, the 24 were spread almost Fwill again recognize the top student cheer- evenly over the other three classes – seven from ing section from among member schools and cul- Class A, nine from Class B and eight from Class C. minate in a ceremony including all five finalists Seven schools got at least one first-place vote and during this season’s Boys Basketball Finals at 16 received at least one top-five vote from mem- Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. bers of the Student Advisory Council. Reigning champion Traverse City West will at- “We were thrilled to have our second-largest tempt to repeat as BOTF champion, competing this group of applicants in BOTF history, and we’re time against student sections from Boyne City, eager to visit some familiar stops and check out a Charlotte, Frankenmuth and Petoskey. This year’s new section as well,” said Andy Frushour, MHSAA pool of 24 applicants was the second-largest in director of brand management and advisor to the Battle of the Fans history and largest since 2013. Student Advisory Council. “Traverse City West cre- Battle of the Fans VI, organized by MHSAA staff ated some incredible momentum last year, and and its 16-member Student Advisory Council, will Charlotte just missed earning the championship. reward the cheering section that best creates the Frankenmuth and Petoskey bring years of tradition positive and festive atmosphere made possible back to this contest, and Boyne City should be an- when students show enthusiasm, togetherness and other fantastic addition while adding to the strong sportsmanship while rooting for their team. student section presence from northern Michigan.” Schools were invited in December to submit Video submissions included explanations on short videos, via YouTube, of their cheering sec- how each section met the following contest crite- tions in action. The winner will be announced Feb. ria: positive sportsmanship, student body partici- 17, and video of all five sections will be played on pation, school spirit, originality of cheers, the Breslin Center HD scoreboard during the Finals organization of the group and section leadership. in March. The champion and finalists also will be The finalists were chosen by the SAC and the recognized during the Semifinals on March 24. winner is selected by another Advisory Council vote This year’s group of finalists is mostly a mix of based in part on activity on the MHSAA’s social familiar contenders with a new hopeful joining in. media sites. The MHSAA will post throughout the fi- Traverse City West is a finalist for the third time, as nalists tour on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is Frankenmuth – the champion of the inaugural sites and Snapchat feed. Battle of the Fans in 2012. Charlotte and Petoskey The contest is sponsored in part by the United are finalists for the second time, and Boyne City is Dairy Industry of Michigan, which promotes Michi- making its debut among the top five. gan's dairy products and nutrition education.

Geoff Kimmerly, MHSAA

SAC Belief Statement As the voice of Michigan’s student-athletes, the Student Advisory Council’s role is to convey the mes- sage of how high school sports are supposed to be played. We are responsible for helping the MHSAA maintain a positive and healthy atmosphere in which interscholastic athletes can thrive. We believe athletes should be competitive, sportsmanlike and excel academically. We believe students in the stands should have fun, but not take the focus away from the game. We believe coaches should act as teachers, helping student-athletes develop while still keeping high school sports in perspective. We believe that parents should always be positive role models and be supportive of their child’s deci- sions. We believe officials commit their own time to high school sports and respect should always be shown and given to them. The most important goal for student-athletes is to enjoy high school sports while keeping a high level of respect between all those involved in the games. – Written by the Student Advisory Council, adopted by MHSAA Representative Council November 2007 benchmarks 21 Przystas Helps 'Shape' Fitness For Future

cott Przystas had plans earlier this winter ketball and leads the middle school track & field to “crash” a Grand Haven schools party teams. But he also provides an important voice for Swith vegetables grown in his classroom’s physical education, an area the task force consid- hydroponic garden. It may be freezing outside, but ers crucial to growing interest in playing many in his physical education class, it’s time to harvest. sports instead of specializing in one – which stud- And, the Michigan chill doesn’t mean his stu- ies have shown can lead to chronic injuries when dents – ranging from Young 5s to fourth grade – will playing that one sport while leading those children be restricted to the gym the entire time. When they to become adults who are less likely to be physi- returned in 2017, they headed outside to give cally active and fit. He is in his eighth year in the snow-shoeing a try. Grand Haven district and has taught in nine build-

MHSAA File Photo

Teaching includes a lot more than daily dodge- Scott Przystas is reshaping the physical education curriculum by ball or rolling out the basketballs for Przystas, a focusing on healthy life lessons at the elementary level. member of the MHSAA Multi-Sport Task Force and this fall’s honoree as Michigan Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the state’s chapter of Soci- ings at the elementary, middle, high school and al- ety of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE). ternative education levels. The task force over its first few months has de- “Scott has been instrumental in leading termined that the message on the many benefits of changes to the PE program in Grand Haven,” Mary participating in multiple sports must be delivered A. White principal Valerie Livingston said in a re- to students and their families long before these stu- port for the Grand Haven Tribune. “His excitement dents reach high school and even junior high – about life-long fitness and nutrition is contagious in making passionate educators like Przystas espe- the school. Under Scott's direction we have stu- cially key. He passes on a perspective that “PE is dents who look forward to smoothie bars at lunch the most important thing we can teach kids, how and are excited to see our new tower garden grow.” to be physically active for life” while teaching stu- dents at Grand Haven’s Mary A. White and Rosy Many Teachers Mound elementary schools. Przystas’ philosophy is deeply-rooted in the “That’s our goal with the elementary PE de- positive experience he had growing up in Gladwin, partment in Grand Haven, to make it relevant a much smaller community than Grand Haven lo- again,” Przystas said. “Because it’s really easy in cated north of Midland and Mount Pleasant. our profession (to say) here’s the ball kids, do you His father Ronald – who formerly worked at the want to do. But it’s not gratifying at all. It’s not sat- Lansing State Journal and Cadillac Evening News isfying to the kid or the teacher.” before becoming a reporter, editor at later publisher Przystas brings the MHSAA task force a wealth at the Gladwin County Record – died in a car crash of experience as a coach – he’s in charge of the in 1996. But he left his then 10-year-old son a love high school’s girls cross country team, serves as for sports photography – Scott minored in journal- freshman coach and varsity assistant for girls bas- ism at Michigan State University – and also plenty

22 benchmarks of familiarity with athletics. A track & field meet Przystas also inherited the high school’s girls hosted by Gladwin JHS bears Ron’s name. cross country program, which he coaches with Sports provided an outlet during that tough Renee, and which has made the MHSAA Finals 17 time. During middle school, Scott would go from a straight seasons. In addition, he became the basketball game to hockey practice that same Lakeshore Middle School track & field coach – and night, filling his time with those sports, golfing and he sees all of these as being related. a variety of other like activities. A few years after his dad’s death, Przystas be- Passing Those Lessons On came a manager for the Flying G’s boys basketball Przystas – who has served a two-year term on varsity coached by Kirk Taylor, who had gotten to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health know Ron well over the years. Ron had made sure and Sports – teaches from a philosophy based on a Kirk understood the importance of Gladwin beating pyramid. The bottom level is health and knowing county rival Beaverton – they play for a trophy dat- how to take care of oneself, with the middle level ing back to 1937 – and so it was memorable when physical literacy and the body’s ability to solve Scott, as a senior during the 2005-06 season, movement problems to avoid injury. The top of his scored a career-high 25 points to help the Flying pyramid is adventure, and that’s what he’s trying G’s beat the Beavers despite the fact he really was- to deliver to his students. n’t a scorer as much as a solid all-around player. But to do so, he also has to be able to relate and “Scott was part of the best group of captains I communicate with them. have had here at Gladwin in the past 23 years,” “Scott makes it fun. He’s just very organized – Taylor said. “One of his co-captains was quiet and and he connects with whatever age group, whether out-worked everybody. Another of his tri-captains it’s kindergarten kids or high school girls,” said was very direct with players. Scott was a little of Kowalczyk-Fulmer, recalling how excited her 5- both, but he always delivered the message with the year-old son was to have “Coach P” as a teacher. most positive manner.” “Freshman girls can sometimes be an interesting Przystas made the all-Jack Pine Conference group to coach … but he never changes who he is.” second team as a senior in 2004 while also earning Przystas noted how SHAPE America is pushing all-league honors in golf and serving as a pinch- for today’s generation of children becoming an “ac- runner in baseball for a couple of seasons. At MSU, tive” next generation, and as a newer father this hits as he worked toward a degree in kinesiology, Przys- home – and also helps fuel his desire to help. tas played on the practice scout team that daily He said it’s harder to plant that seed when stu- took on the women’s basketball team as the Spar- dents are older – but that’s where his responsibility tans made multiple NCAA Tournament runs, an ex- as a cultivator at the elementary level comes in. perience which got him interested in coaching. “I had a great childhood experience,” Przystas He graduated from MSU and before the fall of said. “That’s why I promote to kids in middle 2009 latched on at Grand Haven. His first call was school, elementary school, to go check out a to Buccaneers girls hoops coach Katie Kowalczyk- lacrosse game. Go to swim camp. Be active this Fulmer, and was on her bench as an assistant for summer. Don’t just be sitting around. We’ve just got the back-to-back Class A championships in 2012 to get them outside more and have kids be active.” and 2013 – while also for a time living in her base- — Geoff Kimmerly ment before marrying his wife Renee. MHSAA Second Half Editor

HEARTSafe Applications Available to Schools

With an emphasis and focus on health and safety in school sports today, it is important for administrators to take advantage of every resource avail- able. One such program is the MI HEARTSafe School initiative. A HEARTSafe designation recognizes a school's efforts to prevent sud- den cardiac death of the young (SCDY) by screening its athletes for inher- ited syndromes that predispose to sudden cardiac arrest and preparing for a cardiac emergency. Members of this school community know how to recognize the signs of a sudden cardiac arrest and respond quickly by calling 9-1-1 and using CPR and an automated external defib- rillator (AED) until EMS arrives. The MI HEARTSafe School designation is awarded for a period of three school years. To apply for MI HEARTSafe School designation at no cost, download and follow the instructions on the application here: https://migrc.org/Resources/ViewRe- source.aspx?rid=1302 or scan the code at left. For questions about MI HEARTSafe Schools Award Program please contact Deb Duquette at (517)335-8286 or email [email protected].

benchmarks 23 Check-In Champ App Offers Prizes, Scholarships

he MHSAA and SuperFanHigh, a leading Only student fans will be eligible to use the col- fan loyalty and engagement company, lege scholarships; however, fans who are not stu- Thave launched a mobile app that will dents may still compete for the scholarships and allow students, faculty, alumni, community mem- designate them for specific students should they bers and all fans to earn prizes and college schol- win the contest. All fans, including those who are arships by showing support for high school not students, will be able to earn app “badges” as basketball teams. they accrue points, and the top 100 point-getters To participate, fans simply need to download will receive shirts printed to celebrate their accom- the “Check-in Champ” app for free from the Apple plishment in the contest. iTunes or Google Play “We are excited online stores and then about partnering with check in at high the MHSAA to launch school girls and boys this new app,” said basketball games they Anne Wohlfert, Direc- are attending this sea- tor of the Student Fi- son. SuperFanHigh nancial Services will track these check- Bureau at the Michi- ins and provide stand- gan Department of ings of fans who attend Treasury. “We are the most events pleased to offer statewide. Fans $5,000 in scholarship “checking in” accrue dollars to the stu- points toward prizes dents who attend the including a total of most games. This $5,000 in college joint venture aligns scholarships spon- with our goals to pro- sored by MI Student vide high school stu- Aid. dents and their “The ‘Check-in families with student Champ’ contest pro- financial resources vides an exciting op- and information.” portunity for our The app provides schools to promote other information for their regular-season students and fans in- girls and boys basket- cluding their selected ball games,” MHSAA schools’ boys and Executive Director girls basketball team Jack Roberts said. schedules, MHSAA “We’re eager to see news and an opportu- how this will build more excitement at games, both nity to share photos through a ‘fan cam.’ Partici- during the regular season and the MHSAA tourna- pants may accrue bonus points by answering ment, and we’re appreciative of MI Student Aid for MHSAA basketball trivia questions and promoting adding significant incentive for students and their their “check-ins” on social media. families who support their classmates and com- SuperFanHigh is a division of its parent com- munities.” pany, SuperFanU and provides fan experiences for For the remainder of this Michigan high school more than 300 high schools and colleges/universi- boys and girls basketball season, fans who attend ties across the country. The company is leading the games will earn points. When registering on the market in developing innovative platforms that app, fans must select their favorite school. Schools allow the communication and marketing between will be divided by Class: A, B, C and D. A $3,000 students/fans and schools to be more engaging scholarship will be awarded to the fan who earns and efficient. the most points overall across all four classes, and “We know that our partnership with MHSAA will $500 scholarships will be awarded to fans who earn yield lots of excitement this year across the state the most points in each class. of Michigan,” says Kayla Mount, co-founder and COO of SuperFanU.

24 benchmarks utilizing and understanding information technology

School Broadcast Program Has You Covered

The MHSAA School Broadcast Program provides the opportu- nity for real life experience in the field, as students discover at the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at Michigan State Uni- versity’s Breslin Center each March.

MHSAA File Photo

he MHSAA will again recognize the efforts The NFHS Network has announced new pricing of its members participating in the School for 2016-17, eliminating the Day Pass and lowering TBroadcast Program through the fourth an- the cost of a Month Pass to $9.95. Subscribers will nual SBP Excellence Awards, which is now accept- have access to all live video and streaming statistics ing applications for content produced during the across the country. All content becomes available 2016-17 school year. for free, on demand viewing 72 hours after being SBP schools can submit up to three entries in shown live. Some schools will also be selling An- each of six categories: Best single-camera produc- nual Passes at a discounted rate. A portion of every tion; best multicamera production; best use of subscription sold by a school goes to its program. graphics; best produced local commercials/fea- A complete list of participating schools can be tures; best student play-by-play announcers; and found on the School Broadcast Program page of the best highlight clip. MHSAA website. The SBP Excellence Awards will be used in se- Fans can also access scores of games in- lecting the Program of the Year. Other criteria for progress on the NFHS Network website via Score- Program of the Year include quantity and quality of Stream. productions and sports covered; best command of A weekly staple on the MHSAA.tv website and graphics software; initiative to cover home and the MHSAASports Channel on YouTube is back for away athletic contests; and initiative/creative in sell- another year with highlights of selected games last ing local advertising and subscriptions. week produced by members of the Association’s Montrose High School has won the Program of School Broadcast Program. the Year award the past three years. Schools interested in becoming a part of the More details about the 2016-17 SBP Excellence School Broadcast Program should contact John Awards can be found on the School Broadcast Pro- Johnson at the MHSAA Office: (517) 332-5046 or gram page of the MHSAA Website. [email protected] In its eighth year, the School Broadcast Program The MHSAA Network’s weekly radio show/pod- gives members an opportunity to showcase excel- cast This Week In High School Sports, now has over lence in their schools by creating video program- 85 radio stations and audio webcast outlets as part ming of athletic and non-athletic events; with of their weekly prep coverage. students gaining skills in announcing, camera op- This Week In High School Sports is posted on eration, directing/producing and graphics. Tuesday each week by Noon, and can be found on The program also gives schools the opportunity the home page of the MHSAA Website. to raise money through advertising and viewing Be The Referee is also posted as a standalone subscriptions. podcast on Tuesday each week, and can be found All sporting events – live or delayed – are avail- on the home page of the MHSAA Website. able on a subscription basis only for their first 72 hours online. They become available for free, on- demand viewing approximately 72 hours following their completion.

benchmarks 25 news and views from outside the MHSAA Reflecting on Michigan’s Hoop Heritage

his story is about Michigan high school NBA Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls has basketball and just some of its vast been overlooked and underappreciated for elec- Tcontributions to the game. tion to the NBA Hall of Fame. By comparison In 1958 Dave DeBusschere, from Austin with many enshrinees, he absolutely belongs. Catholic High School, battled Chet Walker of Detroit, the 18th largest city in America was Benton Harbor for the MHSAA Class A champi- of course once tabbed The Automotive Capital onship and DeBusschere’s team prevailed. Chet of the World. The Motor City is where Henry Walker moved on to Bradley University in Peoria, Ford built his first automobile in 1896. Three Illinois, and was a consensus first-team All years later, Randsom E. Olds established Michi- American in 1961 and 1962. DeBusschere gan’s first automobile factory. In 1941 the stayed at home and graduated from the Univer- Chrysler Corporation mass-produced tanks for sity of Detroit and then played for the Detroit Pis- the war and the entire auto industry switched tons and became the youngest coach/player in from cars to manufacturing tanks, planes, and NBA history, at age 24. In 1969, he was traded other war materials. In 1963 Detroit produced to the New York Knicks, the missing link that en- something else, not off the assembly line, with gendered NBA Championships in 1970 and its rollers, hooks and chains but instead, a prep 1973. In 2003 DeBusschere suffered a fatal phenom, dubbed “Chain.” This was none other heart attack and is in basketball heaven. The Na- than 6-3 Cliff Williams of Southwestern High tional Basketball Retired Players Association in School who averaged 36 points per game with a

Dave DeBusschere’s meteoric rise to basketball fame began at Detroit Austin Catholic High School, a prep career that included one of the top games in MHSAA history, a battle with Chet Walker’s Benton Harbor team (right) in the 1958 MHSAA Class A Final. which Dave was a founder renamed its scholar- then, city single-game record of 61 points. Cliff ship fund to The Dave DeBusschere NBRPA got his nickname from practicing year-round in Scholarship Fund. The purpose is to provide snow, sleet or rain at local playgrounds that had scholarships to former professional basketball chain nets. Every schoolboy of this era knows players and their children to help them meet the the sweet sound of a dead center shot, in a chain costs of higher education. Chet Walker, the quiet net. Cliff Williams was so prolific with jumpers one, yet a prolific scorer and rebounder with the and other shots that he was M.C. Hammer be-

26 benchmarks fore Hammer – U Can’t Touch This! Although (George Peeples 1962, Archie Clark 1959 & Cliff didn’t know it at the time, he put Michigan NBA), Highland Park (Bobby Joe Hill high school basketball and Detroit basketball in 1961,George Trapp 1966, Terry Duerod 1975 & particular, on the map. NBA, Cedric Olden 1978, Percy Cooper 1981, When college coaches came looking in large Renardo Brown 1982, Glen Blackwell 1984, Vel- numbers in 1966 the place was Hamtramck. tra Dawson 1984); Fennville (Richie Jordan And, the look-see was 6-7 Rudy Tomjanovich, 1965); Jackson (Gary Thompkins 1984, Mau- who could face the basket and fill all the 20-foot rice Poole 1985); Kalamazoo (Sam Mitchell jumpers any college coach could desire. Rudy’s 1989, Corey Person 2007, Cetera Washington total game and numbers were 25 points per 2007); Alpena (Ray Feher 1972); Cadillac (Dirk game and 22 rebounds. Off to the University of Dunbar 1972); Detroit Country Day (Chris Web- Michigan and then to the NBA Houston Rockets. ber 1991, Shane Battier 1997, Jonas Gray 2008, Rudy continued with his stellar play and after re- Da’Shonte Riley 2009); Rochester (Paul Davis tirement became a scout for the Rockets and 2002-NBA Clippers); Wyoming Park (Drew later head coach. As a coach, he authored Neitzel 2004 & 2008 Artland Dragons in Ger- back-to-back NBA Championships in 1994 and many); Saginaw (Draymond Green-NBA Golden 1995. State Warriors). If you were standing in front of the building This game is played from the UP to the LP in on 18875 Ryan Road in Detroit, in the academic big cities and small towns played by both boys year of 1966-67, you would have seen two spe- and girls; Miss Basketball (2013-Tori Jankosa- cial Doughboys enter Pershing High School. Freeland, 2012 Madison Ristovski–Gross Pointe One a senior, standing 6-8 and the other a jun- Liggett, 2006-Brenna Banktson-Frankfort). It is ior, 6-4, two players of such extraordinary ability the participation that counts and not so much that the entire team is regarded by many, then how many points you score. Basketball partici- and now, as the best in state history. These two pation not only builds character, it reveals char- players, Spencer Haywood and Ralph Simpson, acter. For example, on Sept. 11, 2007 Detroit were coached by Will Robinson. By the way, Country Day retired Shane Battier’s No. 55 jer- Haywood’s 1970 legal case opened the door for sey. Sportsmanship, discipline, character build- undergraduates to enter the NBA. All of the ing, and leadership are just some of the enduring starters on the 1967 team played professional values that can be derived from this wonderful sports: Haywood & Simpson (ABA-NBA), Glen game of basketball. Doughty & Paul Seal (NFL) and Marvin Lane Special mention must be given to Curtis (Baseball). Yes, this is the same Will Robinson Jones of Detroit Northwestern H.S. in 1967. His associated with the Detroit Pistons Basketball story has not been completely told and space Operations. Robinson also coached Ira Hodge constraints preclude me from setting it out. and Mel Daniels at Pershing and Doug Collins However, when I interviewed a bevy of people for (NBA) and Bubbles Hawkins (NBA) at Illinois this story the name Curtis Jones kept popping State. Robinson also coached at old Miller High up more often than Ralph Simpson and Spencer School (Sammy Gee, Charlie Primus and Bob Haywood. That is enough to demonstrate just “Showboat” Hall – Harlem Globetrotters) and at how prolific and highly skilled Curtis Jones was Cass Tech. in the mid 1940s and the 1950s. Will as a high school basketball player. Robinson was a legend in his own lifetime; a man Lastly, is the Clarkston connection: father who has touched hundreds from all back- Dan Fife and sons Jeremy, Dugan and perhaps grounds, not only in sports, but in the enduring the best, Dane. In 1998, Dane was All-State values of life. On April 28, 2008 Will Robinson First Team, Gatorade Circle of Champions Mid- passed into basketball heaven. west Player of the Year and Michigan’s 18th re- If you think this is too much Detroit ink, let’s cipient of Mr. Basketball. Dane matriculated at consider other areas: Traverse City (Dan Majerle the University of Indiana under the tutelage of 1983 & NBA, Suzy Merchant 1987 & 2008 MSU Bobby Knight. Today Dane Fife is an assistant Women’s Head Coach), River Rouge (Blanche coach under Tom Izzo at Michigan State. Martin 1955, Ken Wilburn 1962, Willie Betts 1964, Frank Price 1966, Leighton Moulton 1972, — James A. Johnson Duez Henderson 1998, Charles Kage 1998, Rod- Southfield free-lance writer ney Hughes 1999, Brent Darby 1999); Ecorse and former student-athlete

benchmarks 27 Rules of the Games

Sharpen your skills with the following rules questions for these winter sports. Answers appear on the next page. Basketball Competitive Cheer 1. During a live ball, the officials recognize that 1. A double braced flyer performs a double braced TEAM B has six players on the court. As they forward suspended roll holding on to the hands do, TEAM B player #20 runs off the court to of the bracers. In addition to the hand to hand his/her bench. The officials should: contact, the flyer places her foot on the a. Charge #20 with a technical foul. bracer(s) arms/hands/legs and steps up while b. Assess a team technical foul to TEAM B she is flipping. Legal or Illegal? c. Require the technical foul free throws to be shot by a TEAM A player on the court. d. After the technical free throws have been at- tempted, resume play at the Point of Inter- ruption.

2. It is late in the game, and Team A’s Head Coach calls her remaining 60-second timeout. She immediately notifies the officials that it is a MHSAA File Photo “substitution-only timeout.” The officials will: a. Reduce the length of the timeout and re- 2. A braced flyer with hand-to-hand or hand-to- sume play immediately because Team A arm contact with the bracer completes a sus- controls the length of the timeouts it calls. pended roll (hips over head) to a sponge. Legal b. Reduce the length of the timeout and re- or Illegal? sume play immediately because either team can require the other to be ready to resume 3. A team performs a one-leg extension. Once the play when one team is ready. stunt is fully extended and held (held indicates c. Resume play only when the entire length of a controlled position), the stunt becomes the timeout has expired. braced. Legal or Illegal? d. Reduce the length of the timeout if both teams are ready to play before the timeout Gymnastics has fully expired. 1. Which of the following directly connected Value Parts receive superior credit from the judge on 3. Which is TRUE about a closely guarded situa- beam? tion? a. Cartwheel, cartwheel a. The defender must be within 3 feet of the of- b. Backward roll, backward roll fensive player with the ball. c. Cartwheel, back walkover b. The count con- d. Handstand, handstand tinues when the offensive player 2. T or F: A gymnast performs two directly con- gets a step on nected back handsprings in her routine and a his/her defender to round-off back tuck dismount. The judges the basket. award the first back handspring and the round- c. The count ap- off high superior credit. plies to a player MHSAA File Photo holding the ball 3. T or F: A gymnast performs a anywhere on the MHSAA File Photo switch leap 180 with a ½ court. twist. The judge awards ad- d. The count continues even if a new defender vanced high superior credit. replaces the original defender as long as the required distance from the offensive player is maintained.

28 benchmarks Ice Hockey a. Remind Wrestler A that they are in control 1. T or F: A Team A player checks a Team B and must return Wrestler B safely to the player directly in the head area. Ruling: This is mat. direct head contact, which is a flagrant foul. b. Wait for both of Wrestler B's feet to be Penalty: Major or Game Disqualification clearly off the mat before stopping action. c. Stop the match immediately as the move 2. T or F: Goalkeeper A is replaced on the ice with has become a Potentially Dangerous posi- Goalkeeper B at a stoppage of play. Ruling: tion. Goalkeeper A may not return to the ice prior to d. Only stop action if Wrestler A is lifting the next stoppage of play. Goalkeeper B may Wrestler B on the side of the trapped arm. be replaced during the en- suing play with a player or with an- other goal- keeper other than Goal- keeper A. MHSAA File Photo 3. T or F: Only five players must be eligible to MHSAA File Photo begin the game. If for any reason a team is un- 3. When must errors requiring bad time to be re- able to place four players on the ice the game wrestled be corrected? must be terminated. a. Prior to the start of any subsequent period. b. As long as the offending coach stays mat side it can be corrected. Wrestling c. Within 45 minutes after the match is com- 1. As an official arrives at the school, he sees three pleted. wrestlers from School A coming out of a sauna with jump ropes and rubber suits on. It is obvi- Correction: The Fall issue of benchmarks ous that these kids were working out in the listed an incorrect answer for the soccer quiz. sauna, just prior to the onsite, shoulder-to- The answer for the question below should be (a). shoulder weigh-in. The official shall: a. Do nothing as his jurisdiction has not yet 4. Player A2, in taking a penalty kick, ap- begun. proaches the ball and then stops abruptly. b. Do nothing as the rules only state that this The goalkeeper dives to the side. A2 then type of weight loss activity is prohibited in kicks the ball, but it is deflected by the goal- the weigh-in area only. keeper and the ball stays in the field of play. c. Disqualify these three individuals from com- a. The referee shall award an indirect free petition. kick to the defending team. d. None of the above. b. The referee shall order the kick to be re- taken. 2. Wrestler A has Wrestler B in a body lock (rear c. The referee shall award a goal kick to the standing position) with Wrestler B's arm defending team. trapped. As soon as Wrestler A begins to lift d. The referee shall allow the play to con- Wrestler B, the official should… tinue.

Basketball Answers: 1. b. (10-2-2; 7-4-2; 8-3; 8-5-2); 2. d. (5-11-2); 3. d. (4-10) Cheer Answers: 1. Illegal. (Page 41, stunt limitations, 2016-18 Girls Competitive Cheer Manual); 2. Legal. (Page 68, Rolls and Tumbling Limitations, 2016-18 Girls Competitive Cheer Manual); 3. Legal. (Page 69, Choreography, 2016-18 Girls Competitive Cheer Manual) Gymnastics Answers: 1. a. & c. (8-6); 2. F (8-6); 3. T (8-6-2) Hockey Answers: 1. T (7- 6 - 2) ); 2. T (2-5-11); 3. F (2-1-1; 4-9) Wrestling Answers: 1. c. (3-1-3); 2. c. (7-2-2g. MHSAA interpretation requires official to stop action when one foot leaves mat.); 3. a. (5-1-4)

benchmarks 29 Northern Michigan Officials Honor “Pioneer” Beckett

arb Beckett was in a familiar spot – cen- Uyl said he was not surprised to see Beckett ter circle at the Traverse City St. Francis honored by her fellow officials. Bgymnasium – for a boys varsity basket- “It’s a true testament of the kind of person Barb ball game. is,” Uyl said. “She has blazed an incredible trail as The longtime Michigan High School Athletic As- a leader in high school officiating. We need more sociation referee was not tossing up another ball to people like Barb; true advocates and supporters of start the Dec. 17 contest with visiting Cadillac, but those that are officiating games in school sports.” she was nonetheless the center of attention. Although Beckett turned in her whistle more The Northern Sports Officials Association, and than a decade ago, she is still involved in the NSOA St. Francis athletic officials, honored Beckett for as an assignor, advisor to the board and mentor. her decades of officiating service at halftime. A 34- “I knew many years ago that I was here to year official and longtime president of the NSOA, serve,” said Beckett, who also has been program she received plaudits, a trophy and a bouquet of director for the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA. “I have flowers. been able to fulfill that life expectation of myself.” “To be recognized by your peers is probably the Beckett, who officiated numerous high-level greatest thrill that one could hope for,” Beckett basketball and softball tournament games, said said. “It was a totally unexpected and humbling ex- getting the association to assign games through a perience. web-based system “I could never and getting officials give back as much as better trained are two the NSOA has given major accomplish- to me. And looking ments from her pres- up and seeing a sea idency. of officials and gener- “The assigning ations that I had offi- system has com- ciated in my career pletely changed the was amazing.” way in which we op- "Barb has been erate and so has the instrumental in men- training,” she said. toring, developing, “We emphasize the and coaching offi- importance of edu- cials to be the best cating and we they can be,” said Bill wanted our officials Parker, who suc- Mike Spencer to have the best and ceeded Beckett as Barb Beckett stands with her trophy and bouquet of flowers during the cer- most comprehensive the association’s emony in her honor Dec. 17 during halftime of the Traverse City St. Fran- rules, mechanics and president earlier this cis boys basketball game against Cadillac. She is with Northern Sports game-situation year. "She has always Officials Association president Bill Parker (left) and secretary Mark Stewart. knowledge of any- had a great passion one in the state.” for high school sports and her way to stay involved Beckett said she got into officiating like a lot of has been officiating and as a leader in NSOA." others because she thought she could make a dif- Parker said honoring Beckett was a great way to ference and do better than those she had watched. show her that the NSOA appreciated her efforts. Beckett said working her first MHSAA Softball “When someone devotes so much time to an Final and the Class C Boys Basketball Final were association, it is great to acknowledge their contri- among her officiating highlights. butions,” Parker said. “The boys Final was the best experience ever,” Beckett is well known in statewide officiating Beckett said. “I didn’t get any sleep the night be- circles. The first woman to officiate an MHSAA fore the game and I was never comfortable with all Boys Basketball Final (1995) was awarded the the attention of being the first female to work a MHSAA’s Vern Norris Award in 2000 and Women In boys Final. Sports Leadership Award in 2013. “I saw myself as being just another official, not “Barb has been a true pioneer in what she, a female official.” along with the other leaders of the Northern Sports Beckett said she’s always had the “greatest Officials Association, has been able to accomplish partners ever,” and “they made me look way better in areas of recruiting, training and retaining sports than I actually was.” Among the greats were Joe officials,” said MHSAA Assistant Director Mark Uyl, Lemieux, Tom Post, Kenny Allen, Scott Jones, Clint the association's director of officiating. “At her Kerr and “many more, too,” she added. core, Barb is a people person. The relationships that she has built with fellow officials, school ad- — Mike Spencer ministrators, coaches and student-athletes have Special for MHSAA Second Half been exemplary.”

30 benchmarks Is the Game Stressing You Out? Focus on Breathing

hen I attend a sporting event as a fan, chase away the negativity. Take a moment to feel the actual game and its outcome tend each breath. There is a beginning, middle and end Wto become secondary. Instead, I find to each breath we take. Don’t miss any of it, even myself watching the officials. Perhaps that is be- as you prepare for a 60-second timeout to expire. cause I am married to one. There are other moments when officials can While I don’t get fixated on what kind of game focus on their breathing in preparation for working they are calling, I do watch the evolution of what is a game. When an official arrives at an assignment, happening physically to an official as a game pro- he or she should consider taking a couple of min- gresses. From the stands, I can see the creases utes of quiet time in the car. Unclutter the mind with tighten around their eyes, the clenching of their deep cleansing breaths. lower jaws and sense the grinding sensation when After the pregame conference with the crew, fo- the officials toot their whistles. cusing on your breathing while stretching is a As angst is heightened and intensity seemingly healthy recipe to calmness, being less anxious, low- building with each stoppage of play, I want to shout ering blood pressure and exuding more patience. from the stands, “Concentrate on your breathing!” Calming the nervous system means better concen- Breathing is the root of calmness in a sea of trouble, tration and a general feeling of bliss as we go about whether in life or for a contest official. our endeavors. During a timeout, or any other game stoppage, You’ve worked hard at becoming an official. that small moment can restore a sense of focus and When you reach into your tool bag to work a game, reclaim an aura of calm. Focusing on your breath- don’t forget your breathing. There are moments ing isn’t difficult and the benefits can be immense. when it can become your most important tool of all. Too often, shallow and quick breaths are exhib- ited in times of stress and strain. Instead, try deep, — Denise Leighton bold and fulfilling breaths that clear the mind and NFHS.org

Why They Don’t Officiate Anymore “From the Director” Blog, Dec. 16, 2016

Several years ago, the Michigan High School Athletic Association produced a series of radio and television spots in which MHSAA registered officials explain why they officiate. For the third time in the past 12 years (2004, 2012, 2016), the MHSAA conducted an extensive survey of former MHSAA officials to identify the reasons individuals have left the avocation of high school officiating. From the 1,065 responses to the 2016 survey, it is demonstrated that career and job changes con- tinue to be the top reason why individuals leave officiating. This has been the No. 1 reason in all three surveys. Local association politics was again the No. 2 reason, which was the same second place reason in 2012. However, in the 2004 survey results, local association politics was sixth. This illuminates the re- ality that over the past 12 years there has been a significant shift from local schools hiring officials to using assigners in many, if not all, sports. The concerns are not so much with the association itself (training, recruiting, retaining) but with the assigning dynamic within the association or local area. Many recent MHSAA policy changes and most MHSAA in-service training have focused directly on as- signers, and this survey confirms that this must continue and expand. The next three most common reasons for leaving MHSAA officiating continue to be lack of sports- manship by coaches, lack of sportsmanship by spectators, and low game compensation. The sports- manship concerns from these adults must be continually addressed by all MHSAA constituent groups to improve the working conditions for officials. The MHSAA increased tournament officiating fees at the start of the 2016-17 school year, and many local leagues and conferences have done the same. The reality is that many leagues and con- ferences are still playing “catch up” from the long fee freezes in the late 2000s and early 2010s when Michigan schools were in historically bad financial shape. A significant reason to leave officiating seen in all three surveys is the official’s family situation. Many have indicated they left officiating due to time away from their spouse or children, or because of travel time or a family move. These reasons have been in the top ten in all three surveys, and could have ranked higher had these individual questions been combined into one single category. One troubling trend from the 2016 survey is that lack of sportsmanship by players was inside the top ten (No. 7) for the first time since 2004. In 2012, this issue with students was No. 11. This may show that players are much more apt to argue, criticize or demonstratively disagree with calls than years ago. (This posting was prepared with the assistance of MHSAA Assistant Director Mark Uyl.) benchmarks 31 2016 Update Meeting Survey Results

The following survey responses to the 2016 Update Meeting Survey reflect the answers given by the 613 attendees at the meetings held around Michigan last fall.

1. Do you have responsibility for junior high/middle school athletics of your district?

Yes 389 (65.05%) No 209 (34.95%) 25 Superintendents (6.43%) 68 Class A (17.48%) 14 Superintendents (6.70%) 96 Class A (24.68%) 26 Principals (6.68%) 98 Class B (25.19%) 40 Principals (19.14%) 62 Class B (15.94%) 327 Ath Directors (84.06%) 110 Class C (28.28%) 137 Ath Directors (65.55%) 36 Class C (9.25%) 2 Coaches (0.51%) 103 Class D (26.48%) 4 Coaches (1.91%) 12 Class D (3.08%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 10 Jr High/Middle (2.57%) 2 Board Members (0.96%) 0 Jr High/Middle (0.00%) 9 Other (2.31%) 0 Other (0.00%) 12 Other (5.74%) 0 Other (0.00%)

2. Do you favor a change in football playing rules that would eliminate the kickoff at the junior high/middle school level?

Yes 164 (28.82%) No 405 (71.18%) 19 Superintendents (11.59 37 Class A (22.70%) 20 Superintendents (4.94%) 123 Class A (75.46%) 15 Principals (9.15%) 48 Class B (29.45%) 46 Principals (11.36%) 106 Class B (65.03%) 126 Ath Directors (76.83%) 52 Class C (31.90%) 318 Ath Directors (78.52%) 89 Class C (54.60%) 2 Coaches (1.22%) 25 Class D (15.34%) 3 Coaches (0.74%) 77 Class D (47.24%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 1 Jr High/Middle (0.61%) 2 Board Members (0.49%) 8 Jr High/Middle (4.91%) 2 Other (1.22%) 0 Other (0.00%) 16 Other (3.95%) 0 Other (0.00%)

3. Do you favor a change in soccer playing rules that would reduce the frequency of heading the ball at the junior high/middle school level?

Yes 249 (44.54%) No 310 (55.46%) 18 Superintendents (7.23%) 67 Class A (27.24%) 20 Superintendents (6.45%) 94 Class A (38.21%) 22 Principals (8.84%) 65 Class B (26.42%) 40 Principals (12.90%) 87 Class B (35.37%) 194 Ath Directors (77.91%) 68 Class C (27.64%) 239 Ath Directors (77.10%) 66 Class C (26.83%) 4 Coaches (1.61%) 43 Class D (17.48%) 1 Coaches (0.32%) 57 Class D (23.17%) 2 Board Members (0.80%) 3 Jr High/Middle (1.22%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 6 Jr High/Middle (2.44%) 9 Other (3.61%) 0 Other (0.00%) 10 Other (3.23%) 0 Other (0.00%)

4. Do you favor increasing the maximum number of basketball games allowed during the junior high/middle school season from 12 to 15 games and increasing the number of dates when two middle school games can be played on the same non-school day from two to four?

Yes 334 (56.51%) No 257 (43.49%) 27 Superintendents (8.08%) 109 Class A (32.63%) 15 Superintendents (5.84%) 53 Class A (15.87%) 42 Principals (12.57%) 89 Class B (26.65%) 22 Principals (8.56%) 68 Class B (20.36%) 249 Ath Directors (74.55%) 76 Class C (22.75%) 210 Ath Directors (81.71%) 68 Class C (20.36%) 3 Coaches (0.90%) 57 Class D (17.07%) 2 Coaches (0.78%) 58 Class D (17.37%) 1 Board Members (0.30%) 3 Jr High/Middle (0.90%) 1 Board Members (0.39%) 7 Jr High/Middle (2.10%) 12 Other (3.59%) 0 Other (0.00%) 7 Other (2.72%) 0 Other (0.00%)

32 benchmarks Update Survey - continued

5. Do you favor increasing the maximum number of soccer games allowed during the junior high/middle school sea- son from 12 to 15 games and permitting four rather than two multi-team events on non-school days?

Yes 281 (50.72%) No 273 (49.28%) 24 Superintendents (8.54%) 100 Class A (35.71%) 15 Superintendents (5.49%) 58 Class A (20.71%) 36 Principals (12.81%) 72 Class B (25.71%) 26 Principals (9.52%) 80 Class B (28.57%) 209 Ath Directors (74.38%) 57 Class C (20.36%) 220 Ath Directors (80.59%) 73 Class C (26.07%) 2 Coaches (0.71%) 49 Class D (17.50%) 2 Coaches (0.73%) 54 Class D (19.29%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 2 Jr High/Middle (0.71%) 2 Board Members (0.73%) 6 Jr High/Middle (2.14%) 10 Other (3.56%) 0 Other (0.00%) 8 Other (2.93%) 0 Other (0.00%)

6. Do you favor extending the two-competition allowance of the limited team membership rule at the junior high/mid- dle school only to both team as well as individual sports?

Yes 313 (54.91%) No 257 (45.09%) 23 Superintendents (7.35%) 83 Class A (26.60%) 18 Superintendents (7.00%) 79 Class A (25.32%) 36 Principals (11.50%) 81 Class B (25.96%) 27 Principals (10.51%) 72 Class B (23.08%) 239 Ath Directors (76.36%) 82 Class C (26.28%) 201 Ath Directors (78.21%) 58 Class C (18.59%) 3 Coaches (0.96%) 61 Class D (19.55%) 2 Coaches (0.78%) 41 Class D (13.14%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 5 Jr High/Middle (1.60%) 2 Board Members (0.78%) 5 Jr High/Middle (1.60%) 12 Other (3.83%) 0 Other (0.00%) 7 Other (2.72%) 0 Other (0.00%)

7. Do you favor a requirement that all head coaches at the junior high/middle school level must have a valid (cur- rent) certification in CPR (same as the rule for high school head coaches)?

Yes 480 (80.94%) No 113 (19.06%) 33 Superintendents (6.88%) 139 Class A (29.14%) 9 Superintendents (7.96%) 25 Class A (5.24%) 50 Principals (10.42%) 129 Class B (27.04%) 14 Principals (12.39%) 30 Class B (6.29%) 375 Ath Directors (78.13%) 117 Class C (24.53%) 86 Ath Directors (76.11%) 26 Class C (5.45%) 3 Coaches (0.63%) 82 Class D (17.19%) 2 Coaches (1.77%) 32 Class D (6.71%) 1 Board Members (0.21%) 10 Jr High/Middle (2.10%) 1 Board Members (0.88%) 0 Jr High/Middle (0.00%) 18 Other (3.75%) 0 Other (0.00%) 1 Other (0.88%) 0 Other (0.00%)

8. Do you favor reducing the number of interscholastic scrimmages from four to two in all sports (ice hockey re- mains at one scrimmage)?

Yes 170 (28.38%) No 429 (71.62%) 13 Superintendents (7.65%) 53 Class A (31.74%) 28 Superintendents (6.53%) 111 Class A (66.47%) 24 Principals (14.12%) 46 Class B (27.54%) 43 Principals (10.02%) 115 Class B (68.86%) 123 Ath Directors (72.35%) 34 Class C (20.36%) 341 Ath Directors (79.49%) 112 Class C (67.07%) 1 Coaches (0.59%) 32 Class D (19.16%) 3 Coaches (0.70%) 83 Class D (49.70%) 1 Board Members (0.59%) 2 Jr High/Middle (1.20%) 1 Board Members (0.23%) 8 Jr High/Middle (4.79%) 8 Other (4.71%) 0 Other (0.00%) 13 Other (3.03%) 0 Other (0.00%)

9. Do you favor a rule that limits both teams and individuals to participation in not more than one interscholastic football game or scrimmage during any five consecutive calendar days?

Yes 426 (72.08%) No 165 (27.92%)

32 Superintendents (7.51%) 133 Class A (31.44%) 9 Superintendents (5.45%) 31 Class A (7.33%) 49 Principals (11.50%) 137 Class B (32.39%) 17 Principals (10.30%) 24 Class B (5.67%) 322 Ath Directors (75.59%) 85 Class C (20.09%) 136 Ath Directors (82.42%) 60 Class C (14.18%) 5 Coaches (1.17%) 60 Class D (14.18%) 0 Coaches (0.00%) 48 Class D (11.35%) 2 Board Members (0.47%) 8 Jr High/Middle (1.89%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 2 Jr High/Middle (0.47%) 16 Other (3.76%) 0 Other (0.00%) 3 Other (1.82%) 0 Other (0.00%)

10. Do you favor a rule that would count a scrimmage the same as a game under the weekly limitations on com- petition – for example, in basketball no more than three games or scrimmages would be allowed, Monday-Sunday?

Yes 281 (46.83%) No 319 (53.17%) 25 Superintendents (8.90%) 77 Class A (27.60%) 17 Superintendents (5.33%) 85 Class A (30.47%) 37 Principals (13.17%) 81 Class B (29.03%) 30 Principals (9.40%) 80 Class B (28.67%) 207 Ath Directors (73.67%) 68 Class C (24.37%) 258 Ath Directors (80.88%) 79 Class C (28.32%) 2 Coaches (0.71%) 48 Class D (17.20%) 2 Coaches (0.63%) 69 Class D (24.73%) 1 Board Members (0.36%) 5 Jr High/Middle (1.79%) 1 Board Members (0.31%) 5 Jr High/Middle (1.79%) 9 Other (3.20%) 0 Other (0.00%) 11 Other (3.45%) 0 Other (0.00%) benchmarks 33 Update Survey - continued

11. Do you favor changing the transfer regulation to limit ineligibility to a specific sport or sports during the next school year for a transfer student who does not meet an exception (generally a residential change) but who played that sport at the varsity level in the previous school year?

Yes 297 (50.34%) No 293 (49.66%) 21 Superintendents (7.07%) 93 Class A (31.42%) 21 Superintendents (7.17%) 69 Class A (23.31%) 26 Principals (8.75%) 83 Class B (28.04%) 39 Principals (13.31%) 75 Class B (25.34%) 236 Ath Directors (79.46%) 61 Class C (20.61%) 220 Ath Directors (75.09%) 81 Class C (27.36%) 2 Coaches (0.67%) 54 Class D (18.24%) 3 Coaches (1.02%) 63 Class D (21.28%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 5 Jr High/Middle (1.69%) 2 Board Members (0.68%) 3 Jr High/Middle (1.01%) 12 Other (4.04%) 0 Other (0.00%) 8 Other (2.73%) 0 Other (0.00%)

12. Section 9(B) of the transfer rule permits MHSAA Executive Committee approval of immediate subvarsity level eligibility for transferring 9th- and 10th-graders who have not previously participated in an interscholastic scrim- mage or contest since first enrolling in the 9th grade. Do you favor deleting “scrimmage” – meaning that a 9th- or 10th-grade transfer student who participated in an interscholastic scrimmage previously (but not in a game or meet) would no longer be prohibited from immediate eligibility at the subvarsity level, provided the school’s request for waiver is approved by the Executive Committee?

Yes 410 (69.02%) No 184 (30.98%) 26 Superintendents (6.34%) 107 Class A (26.23%) 16 Superintendents (8.70%) 55 Class A (13.48%) 47 Principals (11.46%) 122 Class B (29.90%) 19 Principals (10.33%) 39 Class B (9.56%) 327 Ath Directors (79.76%) 100 Class C (24.51%) 133 Ath Directors (72.28%) 45 Class C (11.03%) 1 Coaches (0.24%) 76 Class D (18.63%) 4 Coaches (2.17%) 39 Class D (9.56%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 3 Jr High/Middle (0.74%) 2 Board Members (1.09%) 5 Jr High/Middle (1.23%) 9 Other (2.20%) 0 Other (0.00%) 10 Other (5.43%) 0 Other (0.00%)

13. Handbook Interpretation 74 states that a first-time 9th-grade student who practices with a 9-12 team in Au- gust before school begins but has not attended class or participated in an interscholastic scrimmage or contest is not immediately eligible in that sport at any school if he or she actually enrolls at a high school other than the one with which he or she practiced or unless another of the 15 stated exceptions to the transfer regulation applies. Do you favor eliminating the word “scrimmage” from this Interpretation?

Yes 356 (60.03%) No 237 (39.97%) 27 Superintendents (7.58%) 93 Class A (26.20%) 14 Superintendents (5.91%) 69 Class A (19.44%) 39 Principals (10.96%) 97 Class B (27.32%) 26 Principals (10.97%) 64 Class B (18.03%) 279 Ath Directors (78.37%) 87 Class C (24.51%) 181 Ath Directors (76.37%) 57 Class C (16.06%) 2 Coaches (0.56%) 74 Class D (20.85%) 3 Coaches (1.27%) 41 Class D (11.55%) 1 Board Members (0.28%) 4 Jr High/Middle (1.13%) 1 Board Members (0.42%) 4 Jr High/Middle (1.13%) 8 Other (2.25%) 0 Other (0.00%) 12 Other (5.06%) 0 Other (0.00%)

14. Do you favor a limit (e.g., 1% of a school’s enrollment or 5, whichever is greater) on the total number of stu- dents on J-1 and F-1 visas who may participate in varsity level sports at any school during a school year?

Yes 266 (45.16%) No 323 (54.84%) 23 Superintendents (8.65%) 79 Class A (29.70%) 19 Superintendents (5.88%) 83 Class A (31.20%) 30 Principals (11.28%) 60 Class B (22.56%) 35 Principals (10.84%) 98 Class B (36.84%) 203 Ath Directors (76.32%) 62 Class C (23.31%) 253 Ath Directors (78.33%) 80 Class C (30.08%) 1 Coaches (0.38%) 60 Class D (22.56%) 4 Coaches (1.24%) 55 Class D (20.68%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 5 Jr High/Middle (1.88%) 1 Board Members (0.31%) 4 Jr High/Middle (1.50%) 9 Other (3.38%) 0 Other (0.00%) 11 Other (3.41%) 0 Other (0.00%)

15. Do you favor a requirement that high school coaches who are disqualified from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct more than once in a season must complete a free online sportsmanship course before they may return to coaching?

Yes 566 (94.02%) No 36 (5.98%) 41 Superintendents (7.24%) 150 Class A (26.64%) 0 Superintendents (0.00%) 14 Class A (2.49%) 65 Principals (11.48%) 154 Class B (27.35%) 2 Principals (5.56%) 7 Class B (1.24%) 432 Ath Directors (76.33%) 140 Class C (24.87%) 34 Ath Directors (94.44%) 7 Class C (1.24%) 4 Coaches (0.71%) 110 Class D (19.54%) 0 Coaches (0.00%) 7 Class D (1.24%) 2 Board Members (0.35%) 9 Jr High/Middle (1.60%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 1 Jr High/Middle (0.18%) 22 Other (3.89%) 0 Other (0.00%) 0 Other (0.00%) 0 Other (0.00%)

34 benchmarks Update Survey - continued

16. Do you favor the requirement that an MHSAA registered official must attend an MHSAA- conducted or ap- proved camp or clinic (three-hour minimum duration) during the first three years before that official may renew reg- istration for a fourth year?

Yes 454 (75.54%) No 147 (24.46%) 35 Superintendents (7.71%) 131 Class A (28.98%) 7 Superintendents (4.76%) 33 Class A (7.30%) 53 Principals (11.67%) 123 Class B (27.21%) 12 Principals (8.16%) 39 Class B (8.63%) 345 Ath Directors (75.99%) 108 Class C (23.89%) 120 Ath Directors (81.63%) 38 Class C (8.41%) 3 Coaches (0.66%) 82 Class D (18.14%) 2 Coaches (1.36%) 34 Class D (7.52%) 2 Board Members (0.44%) 8 Jr High/Middle (1.77%) 0 Board Members (0.00%) 2 Jr High/Middle (0.44%) 16 Other (3.52%) 0 Other (0.00%) 6 Other (4.08%) 0 Other (0.00%)

SURVEY TOTALS

Respondents' Title Respondents' Classification 43 Superintendents (7.01%) 170 Class A (27.73%) 68 Principals (11.09%) 163 Class B (26.59%) 470 Athletic Directors (76.67%) 147 Class C (23.98%) 6 Coaches (0.98%) 120 Class D (19.58%) 2 Board Members (0.33%) 10 Jr High / Middle (1.63%) 24 Other (3.92%) 0 Other (0.00%)

TOTAL SURVEYS RECEIVED = 613

Not So Great “From the Director” Blog, Feb. 7, 2017

The Michigan High School Athletic Association leadership can sometimes be like the leadership of the United States of America. We can boast a bit too boldly about how great we are. That's why a trip to Europe, most recently for me to the country of Spain, can be a humbling re- minder that no matter how good we may seem to be regarding some things, there is very much room for improvement on others. The USA is a leader in many ways, but a distant laggard when it comes to community place-mak- ing and the quality of our roads and bridges and mass transportation systems. The USA is embar- rassingly behind the needs and times in these important ways of improving life for millions of its citizens. This obvious observation begs for consideration of ways and means the MHSAA may lag behind its counterpart organizations in serving and supporting school-sponsored sports. And these are the two most obvious observations: We trail the nation's most progressive states with respect to requirements to coach and a few other most progressive states with respect to requirements to officiate. It was no huge surprise that the 2016 MHSAA Update Meeting Opinion Poll demonstrated that at- tendees were more supportive of proposals to change those rules than any other policies or procedures of the organization. The most popular proposal surveyed was a requirement that high school coaches who are dis- qualified from a contest more than once in a season must complete a free online sportsmanship course before they may return to coaching . . . 94 percent of 602 respondents favored that policy. The second most popular proposal surveyed would require all head coaches at the junior high/mid- dle school level to have a valid (current) certification in CPR (same as the rule for high schools) . . . 80 percent of 593 respondents favored that. And the third most popular proposal surveyed would require an MHSAA registered official to at- tend an MHSAA-conducted or approved camp or clinic (three-hour minimum duration) during the first three years before that official may renew registration for a fourth year . . . 75 percent of 601 respon- dents were in favor. There are some obvious flaws in these requirements as stated on the Opinion Poll, and the re- spondents tend to come from larger schools and under-represent the opinion of small school admin- istrators; but the responses of constituents are valuable nevertheless because they indicate a general direction that respondents believe is necessary to improve school sports, or at least to keep pace with the changing needs. benchmarks 35 Cooperating with Co-Op Regulations

For many MHSAA member schools, the winter season is the busiest for coop- erative programs. Following are senior high school policies and procedures. New this year was a three-year experiment in some sports in multi-school districts whose combined enrollment is over 1,000 students and expansion of coopera- tive agreements at the sub varsity level only without the usual deadlines. Please see the MHSAA Handbook for interpretations and complete regulation.

I. POLICIES SECTION 1 (E)—In any sport, two or more member high schools whose com- bined enrollment does not exceed 1,000 students may conduct, with the approval of the Ex- ecutive Committee, a Cooperative Program in the specific sports for which application has been made and approval has been granted. 1. The Executive Committee may approve a cooperative program agreement at the subvarsity level only in any sport for two or more member high schools, regardless of student enrollment. There must be a demonstrated history of inadequate numbers of participants and will not be approved based on financial concerns. Students who participate in these programs would have varsity eligibility only with their school of actual enrollment should they be brought up to a varsity team. A student who participates in a subvarsity cooperative program and trans- fers into another school involved in that program may not be subject of a waiver request under Regulation I, Sec- tion 9(C.) Deadlines for high school cooperative programs and the two year minimum length for operating do not apply. 2. The Executive Committee may approve a cooperative program agreement regardless of the combined student enrollment maximum in the sports of baseball, bowling, girls competitive cheer, cross country, golf, soccer, girls softball, tennis and wrestling for two or more schools of the same public school district (same governing board). There must be a demonstrated history of inadequate numbers of participants and will not be approved based on financial concerns. Note: This is an experiment for the 2016-17 through 2019-20 school years. This exper- iment does not apply to public school academies. Approval by the Executive Committee is on a case-by-case basis and as with all cooperative program applications, requires league or conference approval. Deadlines for high school cooperative programs apply. These cooperative agreements may not extend beyond 2019-20 with- out additional Representative Council action.

SECTION 1 (F)— 1. Two or more member high schools whose combined enrollment does not exceed 3,500 students may con- duct, with the approval of the Executive Committee, a Cooperative Program in the following specific sports (sponsored by 250 or fewer schools) for which application has been made and approval has been granted: girls gymnastics, ice hockey, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, boys alpine skiing, girls alpine skiing, boys swim- ming & diving, and girls swimming & diving. 2. For the eight sports listed in No. 1, if none of the schools involved in a proposed cooperative agreement sponsored the sport at any level on an interscholastic basis during the previous school year, then the 3,500 maximum enrollment may be waived by the Executive Committee. However, the cooperative agreement may not exist beyond three school years. 3. The Executive Committee may approve a cooperative program agreement in excess of the 3,500-student enrollment maximum for up to three years in sports sponsored by 250 or fewer schools if, during the pre- vious year, the school or the cooperative program in which a school was a part dropped the sport because of a demonstrated lack of participation. The cooperative agreement in excess of 3, 500 students may not exist beyond three school years.

II. PROCEDURES A. Application for a cooperative relationship must be made on MHSAA forms by the administration of the coop- erating MHSAA member schools and must be received (even if partially completed) by the deadline stated above. Applications for cooperative programs will be submitted to the MHSAA Executive Committee for approval. Among the criteria to be considered are: 1. Lack of numbers of students to support a program. 2. Lack of qualified staff to coach. 3. Lack of facilities. 4. Evidence of a desire to increase opportunities for participation, not win/loss records of existing programs B. The application must be accompanied by the following: 1. A resolution of authorization by each board of education of the cooperating schools including a board mem- ber’s signature shall indicate which school or district will be responsible for overseeing its administration locally (primary school) and the names of individuals who shall serve as the Cooperative Agreement Board of Control. 2. For cooperative agreements at the high school level, resolutions of support from each league or conference in which the cooperating schools will participate. If the applying schools do not belong to a league, then support from at least four future opponents must be collected and submitted. C. One school must be designated as the primary host school on the application and will be considered the offi- cial team name. A primary school may be changed by mutual agreement and written notification to the MHSAA. While a cooperative team may select a non-school name reflecting its makeup (e.g. Northern Thunder), the MHSAA may not publicize or print this name in all situations. D. All requested signatures must be provided on the application (Board Member, Superintendent, Principal and Ath- letic Director) as well as enrollment figures as submitted on the most recent MHSAA Enrollment Declaration Form.

36 benchmarks CPR in Schools at Public Act Beginning in 2017-18 he CPR in Schools law (Public Act 388 of 1. The training must be based on the American 2016) was signed into law on Dec 28, Heart Association, American Red Cross, or T2016. The goal is very simple – to save another nationally recognized organization’s lives, and to empower Michigan’s youth to be those evidence-based guidelines. lifesavers by giving them the skills and confidence 2. The training must include hands-on-a- needed to help during a cardiac emergency. manikin practice. Watching a training DVD Each day in the U.S., approximately 1,000 peo- alone is not sufficient to meet the require- ple suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital setting. ments of the law. Of those witnessed by another person, less than 3. The training must include education on Au- half receive CPR prior to EMS arriving, oftentimes tomated External Defibrillators (AEDs). because the person witnessing the arrest doesn’t The training does not need to be hands-on-an- know what to do. This leads to a dismal survival AED practice, but instead simply needs to be edu- rate of 11 percent. We can and must do better. cation on AEDs. For example, education regarding Schools present an opportunity to teach our what they look like, how they work, and why they youth basic, compressions-only CPR. The training are needed if someone is suffering a cardiac arrest. can be done in as little as 30 minutes, and it can It is important to note the training requirement easily be incorporated into the school day. Many is for hands-only CPR. Hands-only CPR training is schools across the state already have model pro- different from CPR certification, which is a much grams in place, and there are several resources more in-depth training required for public safety available to help schools just getting started. professionals, doctors, nurses, and other profes- sions. CPR certification cards are issued to individ- WHAT THE LAW SAYS uals who complete the certification training. Cards The law requires schools incorporate training, are not issued for hands-only training. at a minimum, in hands-only CPR into any health It is also important to note the individual teach- curriculum offered between 7th and 12th grades. ing hands-only CPR in the classroom does not need The law gives schools much flexibility over how to be a certified CPR instructor. This law goes into they implement the training within their school. The effect in the 2017-18 school year. three main requirements are:

MHSAA Kris Isom* Peter C. Ryan** Representative Athletic Director Athletic Director Adrian Madison High School Saginaw Township Community Schools Council Class C-D — Southeastern Michigan Class A-B — Northern Lower Peninsula

Dave Derocher** Sean Jacques** Fred Smith**, Vice President Athletic Director Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Athletic Director Reese High School Calumet High School Benton Harbor High School Class C-D — Northern Lower Peninsula Class C-D — Upper Peninsula Class A-B — Southwestern Michigan

Scott Grimes**, President Karen Leinaar* John Thompson** Assistant Superintendent of Human Services Athletic Director Athletic Director Grand Haven Public Schools Bear Lake High School Brighton High School Statewide At-Large Statewide At-Large Class A-B — Southeastern Michigan

Vicky Groat** Cheri Meier* Al Unger* Principal/Athletic Director Principal Athletic Director Battle Creek St. Philip High School Ionia Middle School Kingsford High School Appointee Appointee Class A-B — Upper Peninsula

Kyle Guerrant (ex-officio) Vic Michaels**, Secretary-Treasurer Alvin Ward* Director , Coordinated School Health & Safety Director of Physical Education & Athletics Administrator of Athletics Programs Unit, Michigan Dept. of Education, Archdiocese of Detroit Detroit Public Schools Lansing Private and Parochial Schools Detroit Public Schools Position Designee Chris Miller* Pat Watson** Don Gustafson* Athletic Director Principal Superintendent Gobles High School West Bloomfield High School St. Ignace Area Schools Class C-D — Southwestern Michigan Appointee Junior High/Middle Schools Steve Newkirk** *Term Expires December 2017 Courtney Hawkins* Principal **Term Expires December 2018 Athletic Director Clare Middle School Flint Beecher High School Junior High/Middle Schools Appointee benchmarks 37 2016-17 MHSAA Budget

The following budget for operation of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc., for the 2016-17 school year was considered and approved at the May 2016 Representative Council Meeting. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION ...... $ 3,280,828 GENERAL PRINTING ...... 155,500 GENERAL OFFICE EXPENSES ...... 1,177,000 GENERAL MEETINGS ...... 86,100 COACHES & OFFICIALS ...... 446,500 CORPORATE SALES ...... 330,000 STUDENT SERVICES...... 644,000 BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS ...... 212,000 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS ...... 1,020,000 BOWLING TOURNAMENTS ...... 72,000 COMPETITIVE CHEER ...... 105,000 CROSS COUNTRY MEETS ...... 120,000 FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS ...... 1,050,000 GOLF TOURNAMENTS ...... 42,000 GYMNASTICS MEETS...... 22,000 HOCKEY TOURNAMENTS...... 240,000 LACROSSE TOURNAMENTS...... 42,000 SKI MEETS ...... 22,000 SOCCER TOURNAMENTS...... 200,000 SOFTBALL TOURNAMENTS ...... 200,000 SWIMMING MEETS...... 86,000 TENNIS TOURNAMENTS ...... 90,000 TRACK MEETS...... 217,000 VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENTS...... 255,000 WRESTLING TOURNAMENTS ...... 513,000 BROADCASTING ...... 6,000 REVENUE SHARING ...... 130,000 TOTAL BUDGET FOR 2016-17 ...... $10,763,928 Out-of-State Travel Form Required he tradition of taking a team on a “spring to conduct practice sessions out of state at a site trip” for practice only is a separate issue more than 600 highway miles round-trip from that Tfrom sanctioning a competition (see school, the Travel Form for Out-of-State Practice is Sanction guidelines on next page). Any school required. For the purpose of this Section, it shall which conducts practice sessions out of state at a be considered a practice for a school team if a site more than 600 miles round-trip must submit school coach in that sport is present with any num- to the MHSAA office a Travel Form for Out-of- ber of players from that school's team, other than State Practice at least 30 days in advance of de- his/her family members.” parture. This does not allow schools to compete in MHSAA catastrophic insurance does not cover a scrimmage, practice or competition with a team such events. from another school. The form can be found on the MHSAA Website. The following interpretation was adopted at the Pursuant to action of the Representative Council in May 2004 Representative Council meeting and be- May 2003, all schools which complete this form came effective for the 2004-05 school year: will be listed in benchmarks at the end of the “When a school-sponsored team, or group of school year. students which resembles the school team, intends

38 benchmarks Report of Activities of the MHSAA, 2015-16

PUBLICATIONS - benchmarks distributed to junior and senior high schools and registered officials; Officials’ Directory and School Directory and calendars prepared; association Handbook distributed to junior and senior high schools; rule books distributed to schools and registered officials; blanks and forms were distributed to schools. The Officials Guidebook was published online. The Coaches Guidebook was published online

RULES MEETINGS/CLINICS - General meetings and rules meetings (online and face to face) were held in baseball/softball, competitive cheer, football, basketball, bowling, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, golf, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, soccer, and ice hockey for coaches and registered officials. The Officials' Awards and Alumni Banquet honored 20-, 30-, 40-, 45- and 50-year officials. Special meetings were conducted for coaches association presidents and league and conference exec- utives. Tournament managers meetings were held in some sports. Meetings were held with representa- tives of local officials associations. A Task Force on Multi-Sport Participation was appointed.

PARTICIPANTS – There were approximately 282,623 participants on interscholastic athletic squads of the 755 member high schools during the 2015-16 school year. The MHSAA membership also included 705 junior high/middle schools.

REGISTERED OFFICIALS – There were 10,043 officials registered in one or more sports during the year. The MHSAA conducted camps for basketball and football officials.

UPDATE MEETINGS – Approximately 800 people attended meetings during the fall in Frankenmuth, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Gaylord, Warren, Comstock Park, and Marquette.

CAP SEMINARS – There were approximately 2,000 participants who completed one or more courses in the Coaches Advancement Program at colleges and universities and at school sites throughout the state during the 2015-16 school year.

ATHLETIC DIRECTORS IN-SERVICE – Approximately 900 athletic directors participated in the Ath- let¬ic Directors In-Service programs at sites throughout the state during the 2015-16 school year.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP EVENTS – Three Sportsmanship Summits and two Captains Clinics were conducted involving almost 1,000 students. The 10th class of the Student Advisory Council was ap- pointed. The seventh “Reaching Higher” experiences were provided to help prepare more than 225 male and female basketball players for their college experience. The fifth Battle of the Fans was conducted.

COMMITTEES – Approximately 500 different individuals served on the following association com- mittees during the 2015-16 school year:

Representative Council Competitive Cheer Judges Selection Scholar/Athlete Executive Committee Cross Country/Track & Field Ski Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee Cross Country Site Selection Soccer Athletic Equity Football Soccer Off. Selection (B & G) Awards Football Playoff Officials Selection Swimming Baseball/Softball Golf Tennis Baseball/Softball Umpires Selection Golf Managers Tennis Seeding (Boys) Basketball Gymnastics Tennis Seeding (Girls) Basketball Tournament (Boys) Gymnastics Officials Selection Track & Field Standards Basketball Tournament (Girls) Hockey Track Managers Boys Basketball Officials Selection Hockey Officials Selection Volleyball Girls Basketball Officials Selection Junior High/Middle School Volleyball Off. Selection Board of Canvassers Lacrosse (Boys) Wrestling Bowling Lacrosse (Girls) Wrestling Head Referees Classification Officials Review Wrestling Managers Competitive Cheer Wrestling Off. Selection

benchmarks 39 2017-18 MHSAA Committee Membership Nominations A procedure has been adopted and recently refined by the Representative Council to select MHSAA com- mittee members. In the early spring of 2015, all superintendents, principals, athletic directors, coaches and board of education members who desire to serve on MHSAA committees may submit their names for nomina- tion. This is a summary of the make-up and responsibilities of MHSAA standing committees:

SPORT COMMITTEES Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Bowling, Competitive Cheer, Cross Country/Track & Field, Football, Golf, Gym- nastics, Ice Hockey, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Skiing, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling Consist of a balance of administrators and varsity coaches in the particular sport, plus the president of the coaches association for that sport. Responsible for: (a) recommending to the Representative Council changes regarding MHSAA regulations relative to the sport. (b) recommending to the staff procedures, sites, and as- signments for the MHSAA tournament in that sport. Note: Some sport committees serve multiple functions in- cluding officials selection, tournament sites, and seeding. TOURNAMENT COMMITTEES Girls & Boys Basketball, Track & Field Site Selection, Track & Field Standards, Volleyball Consist of administrators responsible for selecting sites and assigning teams for all levels of MHSAA tournaments in the particular sport. SEEDING COMMITTEES Girls Tennis Area Seeding Directors, Boys Tennis Area Seeding Directors Consist of tournament managers and varsity coaches responsible for determining seeded players and their po- sitions in each flight and for assisting tournament managers in conducting the tournament draw. OFFICIAL SELECTION COMMITTEES Baseball and Softball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Competitive Cheer, Football, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Volleyball, and Wrestling Consist of tournament managers, athletic directors and coaches responsible for selecting officials for most lev- els of tournaments in most sports. OTHER STANDING COMMITTEES (Estab lished and appointed by the Rep re sentative Council) 1. Athletic Equity Committee - Committee is to meet once a year to recommend to the Representative Coun- cil annual objectives designed to encourage participation by more women and minorities in interscholastic coaching, officiating and administrative positions. 2. Awards Committee - This committee meets once as a group and corresponds throughout the year to extend nominations, establish policies and procedures and to nominate and screen candidates for four MHSAA awards: Forsythe, Bush, Norris, and Women in Sports Leadership. 3. Classification Committee - The committee meets annually to study and make recommendations to staff and Council regarding policies and procedures of classifying schools for tournaments and elections. 4. Board of Canvassers - Comprised of a superintendent, two high school principals, one junior high/middle school principal, and one athletic director. Members are responsible for counting the ballots for the election of Representative Council members and members of the Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee. 5. Junior High/Middle School Committee - This committee is comprised of junior high/middle school princi- pals and athletic directors to review rules and regulations as they pertain to junior high/middle schools. 6. Officials Review Committee - This committee meets for the purpose of reviewing issues and concerns re- lated to all officials in order to put forth recommendations to the MHSAA Representative Council. 7. Scholar-Athlete Committee - Established to administer the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete program, this commit- tee consists of approximately 80 people to review award applications.

Criteria for Nomination and Selection of MHSAA Committee Members There are several criteria to consider before completing the Nomination Form: 1. Coaches must be employed by the school and be able to obtain release time from school. 2. The nominee should have at least two years of experience in the position currently holding. 3. Most committees require only a one meeting date commitment at the MHSAA building in East Lansing. Committee meet- ings are held during the work week. Appointments to committees are based on the following criteria: 1. Committees should have male, female, and minority membership which reflects the total pool of available personnel. 2. Committees should maintain geographic and class size representation. 3. Some administrators will be appointed to sport committees. 4. The coaches association president/secretary of each sport is appointed to that sport committee, if the person is a school employee. If the President/Secretary is not a school employee, the Association must send a designee who is an adminis- trator, faculty member or board of education member of an MHSAA member school. Names of nominees will be submitted to the Representative Council for selection. Over 500 people will be selected from the list of nominees submitted to serve on MHSAA committees.

— USE THE FORM ON THE NEXT PAGE —

40 benchmarks MHSAA Committee Membership Nomination Form

Member school superintendents, principals, athletic directors, board of education mem- bers and coaches are eligible to be a member of any one of the following MHSAA committees for the 2017-18 school year. If you desire to place yourself as a nominee complete this form and fax it to the MHSAA office by March 31, 2017. THE PRINCIPAL MUST sign this form for it to be considered a valid nom ina tion for athletic directors and coaches. Schools may choose to use this form for more than one nomination. The following form lists the committee and the month in which the meeting will be held. Please print the nominee’s name and title (specify boys or girls if a coach) on the appropriate line.

Committee Meeting Month Nominee's Name & Title Board of Canvassers (35) September Athletic Equity (5) October Awards (10) October Boys Tennis Seeding (50) October Boys Lacrosse (125) October & May Girls Lacrosse (130) October Gymnastics (100) October Ski (150) November Baseball/Softball Site Selection (25) December Golf (95) December Basketball Rules (30) December Track & Field Standards (190) December Volleyball Rules (200) December Baseball/Softball Rules (20) January Classification (55) January Cross Country/Track & Field Reg. (70) January Track & Field Site Selection (185) January Football (75) January Ice Hockey (110) January Junior High/Middle School (120) January Tennis (180) January Wrestling (215) January Competitive Cheer (60) February Scholar-Athlete (145) February Soccer (155) February Swimming & Diving (175) February Bowling (40) March GBB/BBB/GVB Site Selection (135) May Girls Tennis Seeding (90) May

City/School______School ID No. ______

Principal (Signature) ______RETURN TO MHSAA NO LATER THAN MARCH 31, 2016 benchmarks 41 Official Report of the Board of Canvassers East Lansing, September 27, 2016

We, whose signatures appear below, declare the follow- JUNIOR HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOLS (#7) ing to be nominees for, or members- elect of, the Repre- Total number of legal ballots received ...... 138 sentative Council or the Upper Peninsula Athletic Steve Newkirk, Clare ...... 138 Committee of the Michigan High School Athletic Associa- Illegal or incomplete ballots received ...... 5 tion, Inc., as a result of ballots received in accordance with Elected by majority of votes – Steve Newkirk the pro-visions of Article IV, Section 6 of the Constitution, or as authorized by the Upper Peninsula Athletic Com- PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL HIGH SCHOOLS (#8) mittee at its meeting on October 3, 1941. Total number of legal ballots received...... 49 Vic Michaels, Detroit...... 49 REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL Illegal or incomplete ballots received ...... 0 Elected by majority of votes – Vic Michaels NORTHERN SECTION - CLASS A AND B SCHOOLS (#1) Total number of legal ballots received ...... 23 UPPER PENINSULA Peter Ryan, Saginaw Township...... ……….. 23 Illegal or incomplete ballots received ...... 2 ATHLETIC COACH (#9) Elected by majority of votes – Peter Ryan Total number of legal ballots received...... 2 Mike Berutti, Iron River ...... 32 SOUTHWESTERN SECTION - CLASS A AND B Illegal or incomplete ballots received...... 0 SCHOOLS (#2) Elected by majority of votes – Mike Berutti Total number of legal ballots received ...... 31 Fredrick J. Smith, Benton Harbor...... 31 CLASS D SCHOOLS (#10) Illegal or incomplete ballots received...... 3 Total number of legal ballots received ...... 19 Elected by majority of votes – Fredrick J. Smith Jeff Markham, Baraga ...... 19 Illegal or incomplete ballots received ...... 0 SOUTHEASTERN SECTION - CLASS A AND B Elected by majority of votes – Jeff Markham SCHOOLS (#3) Total number of legal ballots received...... 56 CLASS A AND B SCHOOLS (1-Year Term) John Thompson, Brighton………………… 56 Total number of legal ballots received ...... 2 Illegal or incomplete ballots received...... 2 Dan Flynn, Escanaba ...... 0 Elected by majority of votes – John Thompson Bruce Horsch, Houghton ...... 2 Illegal or incomplete ballots received...... 0 UPPER PENINSULA - CLASS C AND D SCHOOLS (#4) Elected by majority of votes – Bruce Horsch Total number of legal ballots received ...... 30 Sean Jacques, Calumet…………………… 30 BOARD OF CANVASSERS (Signed) Illegal or incomplete ballots received...... 0 Vicky Groat, Athletic Director, Battle Creek-St. Philip Elected by majority of votes – Sean Jacques Catholic Central High School John Hartley, Athletic Director, St. Clair Shores-Lake NORTHERN SECTION - CLASS C AND D SCHOOLS (#5) Shore High School Total number of legal ballots received...... 52 Barry Hobrla, Athletic Director, Pewamo-Westphalia Dave Derocher, Reese……………………….. 30 High School Adam Stefanski, Mackinaw City…………….. 22 Maureen Klocke, Athletic Director, Yale High School Illegal or incomplete ballots received ...... 2 Ronald Stoneman, Superintendent, Manistee High Elected by majority of votes – Dave Derocher School STATEWIDE AT-LARGE (#6) Total number of legal ballots received ...... 82 Scott C. Grimes, Grand Haven ...... 382 Illegal or incomplete ballots received ...... 20 Elected by majority of votes – Scott C. Grimes

Efficiency is Effective... The MHSAA is always willing to assist with issues concerning Association regulations. Please re- member, however, the most efficient method of communication with the MHSAA on eligibility ques- tions is through the school athletic director or principal. Athletic directors should gather all information necessary on a question and then call or write the MHSAA. Coaches or parents calling the MHSAA on eligibility matters can create confusion and delay. ADs or principals are encouraged to contact the MHSAA office directly.

42 benchmarks REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL & UPPER PENINSULA ATHLETIC COMMITTEE NOMINATION PROCEDURES FOR 2017-18

he Representative Council has estab- 2. Names submitted will be published on lished pro cedures for indicating the inten- MHSAA.com in May, in the fall issue of bench- Ttion to run for elected positions on the marks in September, and on the ballot mailed MHSAA Repre sen ta tive Council. to member schools in September. 1. Any individual who is a representative of a Elections will be held in the fall for the follow ing member school (administrator, faculty mem ber positions: or board of education member) may submit his Class C and D Schools — 2 openings or her name to the MHSAA office by March 15. Southwestern Section A. Candidates must have superintendent or Southeastern Section principal approval in writing. Class A and B Schools—1 opening B. It is essential that candidates be qualified for Upper Peninsula the position they seek. Statewide At-Large —1 opening 1) If the position is for a representative of a certain area of the state, they must rep- Jr. High/Middle Schools —1 opening resent a school of the appro priate class City of Detroit —1 opening (A and B or C and D) in that geographic area. The procedures established for indicating the in- tention to run for elected positions are the same for 2) If they seek the position of a state wide at the Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee as those large representa tive, they must be a fac- ulty or board of edu ca tion member of an stated above for the Rep re sentative Council. MHSAA member school. This includes Elections will be held in the fall for the following: administrators but not non-faculty Class D U.P. School—1 opening coaches. 3) If they seek the position of statewide rep- Class C U.P. School—1 opening resentative of junior high/middle schools Class A-B U.P. School—1 opening or private and parochial high schools, they must be faculty (teacher or admin- NOTE: Candidates will first appear on the Admin- istrator) or board mem bers for such istrators page of MHSAA.com in May. schools.

Annual Business Meeting of the MHSAA, Inc. Gaylord, Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 Karen Leinaar MHSAA Audit and Finance Committee

For many years, the MHSAA made its Annual Business Meeting a part of the fall conference of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, even sponsoring a breakfast at the MASSP con- ference for several years for this purpose. Since MASSP moved its conference to a venue where the MHSAA does not conduct events, the MHSAA has attached required Annual Business Meeting elements to one of the scheduled Update Meetings. Jack will address program and policy matters in his usual pres- entation; and as a member of the MHSAA Audit & Finance Committee – which also includes President Scott Grimes, Assistant Superintendent of Grand Haven Public Schools; Pete Ryan, Athletic Director for the Saginaw Township Schools; and Vic Michaels, Director of the Catholic High School League of Detroit – I have this brief financial report. The good news is that the MHSAA produced an operating surplus of nearly $332,000 during the 2015- 16 fiscal year. This was an amazing finish after taking on significant new expenses, including a $300,000 premium for concussion care gap insurance that Jack will review in his report. The Expense Budget for 2016-17, which was adopted by the Representative Council on May 2, 2016, is enclosed for your review as Appendix 1. An operating surplus of less than 1% of budget is anticipated in 2016-17. The most significant new expenses for 2016-17 are for officials recruitment, junior high/middle school support, and professional public relations services, all of which Jack will describe in his report.

benchmarks 43 readings & references

Re-Thinking the Risk-Benefit Balance of Sport

he longer I live the more Have to End Your Athletic Career “What I came to appreciate certain I am that the (Oxford Press, 2017), by Jeffrey later were the real negative Thealthiest life is one S. Kutcher, MD, with Joanne C. health effects that can come from lived with both passion and bal- Gerstner. not playing sports. As my appre- ance . . . passion that is not ex- Dr. Kutcher, among ciation for this side of the treme and balance that is not other credentials, is risk-benefit balance grew, dull. founder of the American I began to see a larger One can be passionate about Academy of Neurology’s picture. Every person his or her work without destroy- Sports Neurology Section. has his or her own set of ing a work/family balance. One He has been on the front traits that add up to a can be passionate about a hobby line of intercollegiate and uniquely individual rela- without it taking over every wak- Olympic sports without tionship with sports. ing hour. One can be passionate being out of touch with in- Sure, you can put people about a conversion to faith with- terscholastic athletics. into groups: the recre- out inserting it into every conver- Dr. Kutcher and Gerst- ational athletes, the ‘seri- sation. ner, a journalist, take on every- ous’ ones, and the elite or I look for these two traits in thing from the myths to the professional players. You can coaches. I look for it in cowork- messaging of concussions in group sports into different risk ers for it helps them be both pro- sports. The doctor is clearly pas- profiles too: collision, contact, or ductive and popular. sionate about brain injury in non-contact. But you also have I also look for it in those who sports, but demonstrates the req- to consider different personali- bring ideas to the Michigan High uisite balance. He writes: ties, psychologies, and ways of School Athletic Association – en- “If you had asked me in the thinking.” thusiasm for their proposal but beginning of my career, I would broad enough perspective to see have said that improving the a bigger picture and others’ neurological health of athletes Read any good books lately? points of view. meant mainly protecting them News articles? We’d love to Which is why I like and rec- from injury and treating them know. Submit recommendations ommend the book, Back in the with the best possible medical to [email protected]. Game: Why Concussion Doesn’t care when they were hurt.

MHSAA File Photo Here’s the Pitch . . .

he MHSAA Representative Council took actions at its Fall Meeting on Dec. 2 in East Lansing that will affect baseball and Upper Penin- Tsula golf teams this spring. A rules change approved in baseball was required by the National Fed- eration of State High School Associations before the start of the spring 2017 season, while the golf change is a result of multiple years of discussion con- cerning classifications for MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals. Beginning this upcoming baseball season, pitchers will be required to follow a pitch count limit, instead of the previous rule that limited their in- nings based on the number of outs thrown. In July, the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee mandated that all states adopt a pitch count rule in an effort to further prevent pitcher arm injuries, effective with the 2016-17 school year. Pitchers will be allowed to throw a maximum of 105 pitches in one day; they will be required to rest three days if they throw more than 75. Pitchers must rest two days after throwing 51-75 pitches, one day after throwing 26-50, and will not be required to rest if they throw 25 or fewer pitches in one day. The MHSAA pitch count rule was the result of work by a task force made up of current and former coaches and administrators, including rep- resentatives of the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association. For Upper Peninsula Golf, both the girls and boys tournaments, the Council approved a change clas- sifying participating schools into three equal divisions beginning in the spring of 2017. Previously, Class A, B and C schools were split evenly into Divisions 1 and 2, with Division 3 reserved for Class D schools. However, Class D had grown to include nearly twice as many participating schools as both Division 1 and 2, complicating tournament logistics. This proposal was advanced by the U.P. Athletic Committee.

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